How to Choose the right Bubble.io developer for your project

You have an idea and want to test out the market. How do you know if you are hiring a good Bubble developer or not? Here are a few ways to can assess a developer's abilities.

Jul 11, 2024

When you get the point of having an idea you want to take to or test in the market, you, if you are a non-technical founder, you will need to find a technical partner or resource.

Bubble.io is a good way to quickly get your idea to market and is a platform where you can test out your ideas, without getting to involved in running infrastructure. bubble gives you the full stack.

A skilled Bubble.io developer can transform your ideas into a fully functional application that meets your needs. Here are key qualities and skills to consider when hiring a Bubble.io developer:

1. Technical Proficiency

What to Look For: Ensure the developer has a deep understanding of Bubble.io’s features and capabilities. They should be used to using Bubble’s visual programming interface; understand complex workflows, database structures, integrations with other services and data security.

Why It Matters: Technical proficiency ensures your developer can fully leverage Bubble.io’s capabilities to create a robust and scalable application and provide you with what you are looking to achieve.

2. Relevant Experience

What to Look For: Check for a proven track record of successfully completed projects, particularly those similar to your own. Experience in building applications within your industry can be a significant advantage.

Multi-skilled developers will give you a good all round set of skills to work with and will understand typical pitfalls and issues before they arise. They will help you prioritise your ideas, if you budget it tight.

Perhaps check out their LinkedIn profile for their working background. Or their portfolio for examples of their recent work.

Why It Matters: Experience with similar projects and their working background, means the developer is likely to understand your specific requirements and can anticipate potential challenges.

3. Cost Considerations

Factors to Consider:

Experience: More experienced developers charge more, but they provide good value. They will interpret your ideas quickly and well, and give you a well thought out solution.
Efficiency: A developer charging $100/hr might work twice as fast as a $50/hr developer. Efficiency can significantly impact your overall project cost. It will also mean you hit your targets within an effective time frame.
Location: Costs vary globally. Developers in Europe and North America generally charge more due to higher living costs, while those in countries with lower living costs may charge less. Aside from these issues, it will come down to personal preference for you such as time zones, distance and ease of communication.

Billing Models: Developers may bill hourly or offer fixed rates. Fixed rates provide cost predictability, while hourly rates can be flexible for less predictable tasks.

Developers will usually expect 30-50% in advance before they start work. Further billing milestones will be agreed between you to give you both an equitable sense of trust in the process.

4. Agency vs. Freelancer

Types of Developers:

Freelancers: Often more flexible and cost-effective, but may have limited availability and resources. With a freelancer you will work directly with them rather than a team.
Agencies: Provide a team of developers, offering more comprehensive services and greater reliability, though usually at a higher cost. You will also be working with a team, and more directly with a project manager.

5. Bubble Forum Activity

What to Look For: Forum activity can be a good indicator of a developer’s experience and engagement with the Bubble community. Look for developers who contribute positively and frequently.

Why It Matters: Active forum participation often correlates with a deep understanding of Bubble.io and a commitment to staying updated with the latest best practices.

6. Technical Interview

What to Look For: Assess the developer’s problem-solving abilities and technical skills. If you lack the technical knowledge, discuss your project idea and see how they approach it.

Why It Matters: A technical interview provides insight into the developer’s thought process and verifies their competence with Bubble.io.

7. Problem-Solving Skills

What to Look For: A good developer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities. They should be able to tackle technical challenges, find creative solutions, and optimise workflows to improve performance.

Why It Matters: Technical challenges are inevitable in any development project. A developer who can effectively address these issues will ensure your project stays on track and meets your goals.

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8. Communication

What to Look For: Look for clear and responsive communication skills. The developer should be able to explain technical concepts in plain language and keep you informed about the project’s progress.

Why It Matters: Effective communication ensures smooth collaboration, helps set realistic expectations, and keeps the project on schedule. It also help manage expectations between you.

9. Commercial Awareness

What to Look For: Look for someone who understands business concepts and aligns development with your goals. This means they have an understanding of the application of technology to business and think about the process strategically.

They should be up-to-date on market trends, provide ideas, optimise for cost-efficiency, and prioritise a seamless user experience. Ensure they have a proven track record of delivering applications that provide real value and drive business success.

They will also understand your goals from a user’s perspective, rather than a technical perspective. This means they will make decisions to help you engage the users rather than concentrate on technical flair.

Why It Matters: A commercially aware Bubble developer will ensure your project benefits from technical expertise and business intelligence. They will align the development with your goals, drive revenue and enhance user experience.

They are likely to have a good sense of the wider market and trends, have ideas about functionality and how it might fit into your project.

They will also understand working for cost-efficiency, and be more capable of turning your vision into a profitable reality.

10. Attention to Detail

What to Look For: Seek out developers who exhibit meticulous attention to detail in both design and functionality. They should be thorough in testing and refining the application to ensure it meets the highest standards.

Why It Matters: Precision in design and functionality results in a higher quality product that provides a better user experience and fewer post-launch issues.

11. Client Testimonials

What to Look For: Review testimonials and feedback from previous clients. Positive reviews and recommendations can provide valuable insights into the developer’s reliability, work quality, and professionalism.

Why It Matters: Client testimonials can help you gauge the developer’s reputation and the likelihood of a successful collaboration.

12. Still Unsure?

What if you are still unsure whether they are the developer for you?

Trial Project or Task: Propose a small, paid trial project or task that reflects a part of your larger project. This allows you to see the developer’s skills in action without committing to a long-term contract.

How to Evaluate: Assess the completed trial project based on:

Quality: Is the work of high quality and free of errors?
Timeliness: Was the task completed on time?
Communication: How well did the developer communicate throughout the trial?

Certifications and Training: Check if the developer has completed any relevant certifications or training programs related to Bubble.io or no-code development.

How to Evaluate: Certifications can provide a level of assurance about the developer’s knowledge and commitment to their craft. However, prioritise practical experience and demonstrated skills over certifications alone.

14. Post-Launch Support

What to Look For: Consider developers who offer ongoing support and maintenance after the launch of your application. This can include updates, troubleshooting, and enhancements.

Look for a developer who is interested in seeing you project grown in to a business and who can interpret the usage and traffic on your product.

Why It Matters: Post-launch support ensures that your application remains up-to-date, secure, and functional as your business grows and evolves.

Commercially aware developers will also help you work through ideas and suggestions, help you understand the response to your product and help you decided what is working and what is not.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Bubble.io developer involves more than just technical skills. It requires a combination of experience, problem-solving abilities, effective communication, attention to detail, positive client feedback, and a commitment to ongoing support. By carefully considering these factors, you can find a developer who will help you achieve your project goals and build a successful application.