Three months. That's how long I spent trying to find the right Bubble developer for my first app. I thought it would be simple: post a job, review some portfolios, pick someone with good reviews. Boy, was I wrong. What started as a "quick hire" turned into a crash course in everything that can go sideways when you choose the wrong development partner.
The no-code development market has exploded, with Bubble.io significantly cutting down time and costs in web app development, leading many startup founders and business owners to increasingly turn to Bubble.io agencies and freelance developers. But here's the thing nobody tells you: with over 200 partner agencies listed on Bubble's official directory and countless freelancers entering the space, making the wrong choice can cost you time, money, and market opportunities that might never come back.
I've seen founders waste $15,000 on developers who built beautiful apps that crashed the moment 10 people tried to use them simultaneously. I've watched startups miss their launch windows because their "experienced" developer didn't understand basic project management. Don't make those mistakes.
Finding the right development partner isn't about finding someone who can click around Bubble's interface. You need a strategic partner who understands your business, communicates like a human being, and can build applications that won't fall apart when you actually start getting users. The difference between a mediocre developer and an exceptional one often determines whether your app succeeds or becomes another failed startup statistic.
Understanding the fundamentals of what makes a skilled Bubble developer is crucial before diving into the selection process. Extra time invested in finding the right Bubble.io agency or freelance developer will save you a lot of time, money and frustration down the road. Believe me, I've seen people have to rebuild their entire app because it was poorly conceived and built by an inexperienced Bubble.io developer.
Key points
- Don't just look at years of experience, dig into their actual portfolio and ask them to walk you through their thinking process on complex projects
- Great communication beats fast turnarounds every time. Look for developers who ask good questions and explain things in terms you actually understand
- Find someone who gets your business, not just the code. The best developers will challenge your assumptions and guide your strategy, not just build what you ask for
- Make sure they can build something that won't break when you get real users. Ask specifically about handling growth and what happens when things go wrong
- Plan for the long haul, you want a partner who'll stick around after launch, train your team, and help you grow without breaking the bank
- Cheap developers often become expensive mistakes. Focus on value and total cost, not just the initial price tag
- Do NOT hire anyone who is not actually specialized in Bubble - don't let your app be their "learning ground"
- Check Bubble certification as a minimum threshold and ask for real, live apps, not just mockups or screenshots
- Look for a real partner, not just a task-taker - great Bubble developers will give feedback and push back on bad ideas
What you're really testing: motivation and skills
In the end, finding the right Bubble.io agency or freelance developer for your app comes down to two things:
- Motivation: Are they truly interested in helping you succeed and partner long term? Or are they just taking on another gig for quick cash?
- Skills: Can they actually deliver a working, scalable app?
Let's break skills down further:
- Technical — Do they understand workflows, data, and integrations?
- Communication — Can they explain things clearly? Do they ask smart questions?
Communication is equally important as technical skills. Let's examine the key factors that will help you find a partner who excels in both areas.
Technical expertise & experience
Here's the thing about technical expertise in the no-code world, it's completely different from traditional programming. You're not looking for someone who can write elegant code; you're looking for someone who understands how to make Bubble sing.
1. Bubble.io platform mastery
You don't just want someone who can click around Bubble's interface, you need someone who really gets how it works under the hood. Think of it like the difference between someone who can drive a car and someone who understands why the engine makes that weird noise and knows exactly how to fix it.
The best developers can explain complex stuff like workflow optimization and database design in terms that make sense to you. If they can't explain something clearly, that's not because you're not technical enough, it's because they don't understand it well enough to make it simple.
Ask them to walk you through how they'd handle something specific to your app. A qualified developer should be able to explain when to use different types of workflows and why it matters for performance. They should know the difference between client-side and server-side workflows without making you feel stupid for asking.
Look for evidence that they've built complex stuff before, custom plugins, sophisticated business logic, apps that actually handle real user loads. The best developers understand Bubble's limitations and work within them smartly, rather than promising things the platform simply can't deliver.
2. Portfolio quality & relevance
I almost hired a developer because their portfolio looked impressive, until I realized all their "complex" apps were just modified templates. Don't make my mistake.
A real portfolio shows progression. You want to see simple apps that evolved into complex, multi-user systems that actually work under pressure. Look for apps that load fast, handle real users, and don't look like they were designed in 2010.
Ask for 3-5 projects similar to what you're building. Pay attention to whether they can walk you through the challenges they faced and how they solved them. The best developers love talking about the problems they've solved and the lessons they learned.
Check if their apps are still running and performing well. Dead links or broken demos are red flags. Apps should feel smooth and responsive, not clunky or slow. If they can't show you live apps with real users, dig deeper into why that is.
Request a Loom walkthrough where they explain one project - how it works and why it was built that way. This is critical for assessing their communication skills, which are just as important as technical ability. Without clear communication, your collaboration will suffer.
Real-world portfolio evaluation: When I was looking for a developer for a marketplace app, I found one whose portfolio showed three relevant projects: a basic directory (showing they understood the fundamentals), a booking platform with payments (proving they could handle complex integrations), and a multi-vendor marketplace handling 1,000+ daily transactions (demonstrating they could build for scale). That progression told me they could handle my project's complexity.
3. Integration & API experience
Modern apps don't exist in isolation, they need to talk to payment systems, send emails, authenticate users, and connect with dozens of other services. Your developer needs to understand how to make all these pieces work together without everything falling apart.
Ask about their experience with the specific integrations you'll need. Have they connected Bubble apps to Stripe? Can they set up proper email automation? Do they understand how to handle it when an API goes down or starts throwing errors?
The best developers don't just know how to connect APIs, they understand what happens when things go wrong. They build in fallbacks and error handling so your users don't see broken functionality when a third-party service has issues.
For complex features, specifically ask if they've done it before - things like Stripe Connect for marketplace payments, complex external APIs, or custom code and plugins. Their honest answer here will tell you a lot about their experience level.
4. Performance optimization knowledge
Here's what nobody tells you: Bubble apps can become painfully slow if they're not built right from the start. I've seen apps that took 30 seconds to load a simple page because the developer didn't understand basic optimization principles.
For detailed insights on keeping your app fast, check out our comprehensive guide on optimizing page load speeds in Bubble applications.
Look for developers who can explain specific optimization strategies without getting too technical. They should understand how different types of searches affect performance and when to use each approach. Ask them about their experience with apps that have lots of users and data, how do they keep things running smoothly?
The best developers implement performance monitoring from day one. They don't wait until your app is slow to start thinking about optimization, they build it fast and keep it fast as it grows.
5. Plugin development & customization
Sometimes Bubble's built-in features aren't enough, and you need custom functionality. Your developer should be able to create custom elements and integrate third-party libraries when marketplace solutions don't cut it.
Ask about their JavaScript skills and experience building custom plugins. Not every project needs custom development, but when you do, you want someone who can handle it without outsourcing to another developer.
Look for developers who can balance marketplace solutions with custom development. They should understand the trade-offs, custom plugins give you more control but require more maintenance, while marketplace plugins are easier to maintain but might not fit your exact needs.
Communication & project management
Technical skills alone don't guarantee success. More development projects fail because of communication breakdowns than technical problems. Trust me on this one.
6. Communication frequency & quality
You want someone who communicates like a human being, not a robot sending automated updates. Good developers ask thoughtful questions, explain things clearly, and keep you in the loop without overwhelming you with technical jargon.
Look for developers who ask about your business goals and users during initial conversations. If they jump straight into technical specs without understanding what you're trying to achieve, that's a red flag.
Expect regular updates with screenshots and plain-English explanations of what they've accomplished. You shouldn't have to decode technical reports to understand if your project is on track.
Have a short intro call to assess if they ask smart questions (more questions is better) and understand your product goals. They should not just say "yes I can do this" without asking for more information and context.
7. Project management methodology
Structured project management isn't just corporate buzzword stuff, it's what keeps your project from turning into a chaotic mess. Look for developers who use proven methodologies like Agile or Scrum, with clear milestones and regular check-ins.
You want someone who can handle scope changes professionally. When you inevitably want to add or modify features (and you will), they should have a clear process for evaluating the impact on timeline and budget, not just say "sure, no problem" and then disappear for three weeks.
Ask about their change management process. How do they handle it when you want to modify something? Do they assess the impact and get approval before making changes, or do they just wing it?
8. Timezone & availability alignment
Timezone differences can make or break a project. If you need real-time collaboration and your developer is asleep when you're working, that's going to create friction. On the other hand, some projects work perfectly fine with asynchronous communication.
Think about your communication style and project needs. Do you like to hop on calls and work through problems together, or are you fine with detailed written updates? Consider how timezone differences will affect your ability to give timely feedback and make decisions.
Also consider what happens during emergencies. If your payment system goes down on a Friday evening, will your developer be available to help, or will you be stuck until Monday morning?
9. Documentation & knowledge transfer
Good documentation is like having a manual for your app, it helps future developers understand what was built and why. Your developer should create clear documentation that explains how everything works, not just what it does.
Look for developers who document their thinking, not just their code. You want to understand the database structure, how workflows connect, and what each integration does. This documentation becomes crucial when you need to make changes or bring in additional developers later.
Ask about their approach to training your team. Will they create user guides? Can they provide video tutorials? The best developers make sure you understand how to use and maintain what they've built.
Business understanding & strategy
This is where most developers fall short, and it's where the great ones really shine. You're not just hiring a coder, you're bringing on someone who should understand your business and help you make smart decisions.
10. Industry experience & domain knowledge
Developers with experience in your industry understand the unique challenges, regulations, and user expectations that affect your app. They can spot potential problems early and suggest solutions based on what they've learned from similar projects.
Look for developers who ask intelligent questions about your industry during initial conversations. Do they understand your users' behavior patterns? Are they familiar with any regulatory requirements that might affect your app?
Industry experience helps developers anticipate challenges and suggest proven solutions. They might recommend specific features or warn you about common pitfalls that could save you months of headaches.
Industry-specific value: When a fintech startup I know chose a developer with financial app experience, that developer immediately identified PCI compliance requirements, suggested specific security implementations, and recommended user onboarding flows that had worked well in similar apps. This industry knowledge saved the startup months of research and potential compliance issues.
11. User experience & design thinking
Strategic developers think about your users, not just your features. They should ask about user personas, understand user journeys, and suggest improvements to your initial concept based on UX best practices.
Ask about their approach to user research and design. Do they think about conversion optimization? Do they understand accessibility requirements? Can they explain why they'd recommend one user flow over another?
Look for developers who can challenge your assumptions constructively. The best ones will suggest changes to your initial concept that make the app more user-friendly, even if it means more work for them. Great Bubble devs will give feedback, push back on bad ideas, and suggest smarter paths. If they only take orders and never challenge anything, that's a red flag.
12. MVP development & iteration strategy
Effective MVP development is about finding the right balance between getting to market quickly and building something that can grow with your business. Your developer should help you identify core functionality while keeping the architecture flexible for future enhancements.
Understanding the strategic approach to building an MVP with Bubble helps ensure your developer can guide effective product development decisions.
Look for developers who use frameworks for prioritizing features, they should help you figure out what's essential for launch versus what can wait. They should understand the difference between "nice to have" and "must have" features.
The best developers emphasize getting user feedback early and often. They build in analytics and feedback mechanisms so you can validate assumptions before building complex features.
13. Market validation & testing approach
Smart developers incorporate market validation into their development process. They understand that building the wrong thing perfectly is worse than building the right thing imperfectly.
Ask about their approach to user testing and feedback collection. Do they recommend building prototypes for user testing? Can they help you set up analytics to track user behavior and conversion rates?
Look for developers who want to validate assumptions before building features. They should help you gather meaningful user feedback during development and use that feedback to guide development decisions.
Scalability & technical architecture
Building apps that can grow with your business requires thinking ahead. Poor architectural decisions early on create expensive problems later, I've seen it happen too many times.
14. Database design & optimization
Think of database design like the foundation of a house, if it's not solid from the start, everything else becomes shaky as you try to grow. Your developer should understand how to structure data that performs well as your app gets more users and more data.
Look for developers who can explain their database design decisions in terms you understand. They should think about how data relationships will affect performance as your app scales.
Ask about their approach to data backup and security. What happens if something goes wrong? How do they handle schema changes as your app evolves? The best developers plan for these scenarios from the beginning.
15. User load & performance planning
Here's a reality check: most Bubble apps start small, but the successful ones grow quickly. Your developer should understand Bubble's capacity limitations and plan for growth from day one.
Ask about their experience with apps that handle significant user loads. What optimization strategies do they use? How do they monitor performance? Can they give you realistic expectations about how many users your app can handle?
Look for developers who implement performance monitoring tools and have experience with load testing. They should provide realistic capacity planning based on your projected growth, not just build something that works for your first 10 users and hope for the best.
16. Security & privacy implementation
Security isn't something you can bolt on later, it needs to be built in from the start. Your developer should understand data encryption, secure authentication, and privacy rules that actually protect your users' information.
Look for developers who can explain their security approach without making your head spin. They should understand compliance requirements that might affect your app, whether that's GDPR, HIPAA, or industry-specific regulations.
Ask about their experience with security auditing and vulnerability assessment. The best developers think like hackers when they're building, anticipating potential security issues and preventing them proactively.
17. Integration architecture & future-proofing
Your app will need to connect with new services as your business grows. Smart developers design integration architectures that can accommodate future needs without requiring major rebuilds.
Ask about their approach to creating flexible systems. How do they handle API changes from third-party services? What happens when you need to switch from one payment processor to another?
Look for developers who understand vendor lock-in risks and design systems that give you options. They should explain how their architectural decisions support long-term flexibility, not just immediate needs.
Support & maintenance
Here's what most people don't realize: launching your app is just the beginning. Ongoing support and maintenance often determine whether your app succeeds long-term.
18. Post-launch support structure
Post-launch support isn't just "fixing bugs", it's having someone who answers their phone when your payment system goes down on Black Friday. You need clear expectations about response times, availability, and what's included in ongoing support.
Look for structured support offerings with clear service level agreements. What constitutes an emergency? How quickly can you expect responses for different types of issues? Who handles support when your main developer is unavailable?
Ask about their team capacity for long-term partnerships. You don't want to be stuck if your developer gets busy with other projects or decides to take a vacation right when you need help most.
19. Training & knowledge transfer
The best developers make sure you're not completely dependent on them forever. They should provide comprehensive training that enables your team to handle routine tasks and understand how your app works.
Look for developers who offer multiple types of training, written documentation, video tutorials, hands-on sessions. They should be able to explain admin functions, content management, and basic troubleshooting in terms your team can understand.
Ask about ongoing educational support. As your app evolves and your team grows, will they provide additional training? Do they offer clear escalation procedures for when your team encounters issues they can't handle?
20. Update & enhancement process
Your app will need updates and new features as your business grows. Your developer should have structured processes for managing changes that don't break existing functionality.
Look for clear change management processes. How do they evaluate feature requests? How do they prioritize enhancements based on business impact? What's their testing process for ensuring updates don't break existing features?
Ask about their approach to estimating development time for future features. The best developers can give you realistic timelines and explain the complexity trade-offs of different approaches.
21. Monitoring & analytics setup
You can't improve what you can't measure. Your developer should implement comprehensive analytics that help you understand user behavior, identify problems, and make data-driven decisions about future development.
Ask about their approach to analytics implementation. Can they set up custom event tracking? Do they understand conversion funnel analysis? Can they create dashboards that give you actionable insights?
Look for developers who implement error monitoring and performance tracking from launch. They should be able to identify and fix problems before your users even notice them.
Budget & business model
Let's talk about money. This is where a lot of partnerships go sideways because expectations aren't clear from the start.
22. Pricing structure & transparency
Here's what nobody tells you about "cheap" developers: that $5,000 savings upfront often becomes a $20,000 problem later when you need to rebuild everything from scratch. Focus on value and total cost, not just the initial price tag.
Look for detailed cost breakdowns that include everything, development time, hosting expenses, third-party service costs, ongoing maintenance fees. Hidden costs often emerge in premium plugin subscriptions or integration expenses that weren't clearly communicated upfront.
Ask about their change order processes. How do they handle scope modifications? What happens if the project takes longer than expected? The best developers have clear processes for managing changes without surprise bills.
23. Value delivery & ROI focus
Strategic developers focus on features that drive business growth, not just technical complexity for its own sake. They should understand business metrics and help you allocate development resources for maximum impact.
Ask how they prioritize features based on business impact. Can they estimate the potential ROI of different development approaches? Do they focus on user engagement and conversion metrics, or just technical achievements?
Look for developers who can help you make smart trade-offs. Sometimes the simple solution that takes 8 hours delivers better business results than the complex solution that takes 40 hours.
ROI-focused decision making: During development of an e-commerce platform, our developer recommended postponing a complex recommendation engine (estimated 40 hours) in favor of implementing abandoned cart recovery emails (8 hours). The simpler feature generated 15% more conversions within the first month, while the recommendation engine could wait until we had more user data to make it effective.
24. Contract terms & intellectual property
Make sure you own what you're paying for. Your contract should clearly state that you retain full ownership of your application and all its components after completion and payment.
Look for clear intellectual property clauses, source code access rights, and confidentiality protections. Review termination clauses and dispute resolution procedures carefully. You want fair terms that protect your interests while offering reasonable protections for the developer's work.
Ask about what happens if the partnership ends unexpectedly. Can you access all your code and data? Are there any restrictions on working with other developers in the future?
25. Long-term partnership potential
You're not just hiring someone for a project, you're choosing someone you'll potentially work with for years as your business grows and evolves. Make sure it's someone you actually want to work with long-term.
Consider whether your chosen developer can scale their services with your business growth. Can they handle increasingly complex projects as you expand? Do they have the team capacity and strategic thinking to grow with your company?
Look for developers who can transition from initial development to ongoing strategic partnership. The best ones become trusted advisors who help you navigate technical decisions as your business evolves.
Where to find great Bubble developers or agencies
Don't just search Google or hire the cheapest option from a marketplace. Use trusted platforms where Bubble expertise is more likely to be real.
Start here:
- Bubble Agency Directory — Filter for Gold or Silver agencies
- Certified Developers — Scroll past the featured few to find individual freelancers
- Hire a Developer form — Bubble will match you with vetted profiles
- Bubble Forum – Jobs/Freelance section — Active community of freelancers and agencies
These sources are far better than general job boards and increase your chance of finding someone who truly knows Bubble.
Do NOT hire anyone who is not actually specialized in Bubble. Sometimes we see people hiring regular developers, or developers who used other no-code tools, for Bubble apps. Invariably this leads to rookie mistakes and lack of best practices. Don't let your app be the "learning ground" for someone. You're paying them after all, and they should learn necessary skills not at your cost.
How to vet a Bubble developer or agency
Here's what we've learned from experience:
- Check Bubble certification — This means they've passed a technical test by Bubble, not perfect, but a good signal. A minimum threshold to pass.
- Ask for real, live apps — Not mockups or screenshots. You want working software, not just UI.
- Request a Loom walkthrough — Ask them to walk through one project and explain how it works and why it was built that way → Clarity of communication is extremely critical, without it your collaboration will suffer.
- Check if they've maintained existing apps — Refactoring and scaling someone else's work is harder than building from scratch. Good devs can do both. Many devs have not maintained existing apps which already have many live users and critical processes.
- For complex features, ask if they've done it before — Examples:
- Stripe Connect for marketplace payments
- Complex external APIs
- Custom code & custom plugins
- Have a short intro call — Are they asking smart questions (more questions is better)? Do they understand your product goals? They should not just say "yes I can do this" without asking for more information and context.
- Run a small paid test — One page or one feature is enough to test quality, communication, and how they think.
What makes a Bubble developer worth hiring
A great Bubble dev or agency will:
- Write clean, reusable logic
- Communicate clearly and consistently
- Understand your goals and help make product level decisions
- Handle complexity without rushing or hacking
- Be someone you'd want to work with long-term
If they do that, keep them. You want a real partner, not just a task-taker. Great Bubble devs or agencies will give feedback, push back on bad ideas, and suggest smarter paths. They should think with you about the product and help guide your product planning. If they only take orders and never challenge anything, that's a red flag.
How Minimum Code addresses these critical considerations
When evaluating Bubble.io development partners against these 25 considerations, you need an agency that demonstrates consistent strength across all categories. Minimum Code's approach directly addresses the most common pain points businesses face when selecting development partners.
Before making your final decision, consider reading our insights on what to know before hiring a Bubble development agency to ensure you're fully prepared for the partnership.
Minimum Code exemplifies how a well-rounded development partner should address these comprehensive considerations through their holistic evaluation process, risk mitigation strategies, and scalable solutions. Their emphasis on business strategy, technical planning, and user validation demonstrates the interconnected approach needed for successful Bubble.io development partnerships.
Their process emphasizes business strategy and user validation before technical implementation, addressing the critical need for developers who understand your market and business goals.
This strategic approach helps avoid the common pitfall of building technically sound applications that don't meet user needs or business objectives. Minimum Code's focus on rapid MVP development through no-code tools directly addresses the need for quick market validation and iterative development.
Their transparent communication and structured project management approach mitigates the risks associated with poor project delivery that plague many development partnerships.
Final thoughts
Look, this feels overwhelming because it matters. Your app idea, your budget, maybe even your business depends on getting this choice right. I get it, I've been there.
But here's the good news: thousands of people have found great Bubble developers and built successful apps. You can too, you just need to know what to look for.
The 25 considerations I've outlined work together as a system. Technical expertise without business understanding leads to well-built apps that nobody wants. Great communication without technical skills results in well-managed projects that don't perform. You need balanced strength across all categories.
Remember that perfect code doesn't exist, and developers who claim theirs is perfect are lying. What you want is someone who builds things right the first time, then fixes the inevitable issues quickly and honestly.
Don't just focus on the lowest price, it rarely delivers the best value. And don't assume the most expensive option is automatically the most qualified. Focus on finding development partners who understand your business goals, communicate transparently, and can build scalable solutions that grow with your success.
The right partnership will save you time, money, and frustration while positioning your application for long-term success. Take the time to evaluate properly now, and you'll thank yourself later when your app is thriving instead of becoming another cautionary tale.
You're not just hiring a coder, you're choosing someone you'll be texting at weird hours when something breaks. Make sure it's someone you actually want to work with, someone who gets your vision, and someone who can help you turn that vision into reality.
What you're really testing comes down to two things:
- Motivation - Are they truly interested in helping you succeed and partner long term? Or are they just taking on another gig for quick cash?
- Skills - Can they actually deliver a working, scalable app?
Ready to find the right development partner for your Bubble app? Book a call with Tom today to discuss your project requirements and how to find the perfect match for your business needs.
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