A growing number of startup founders and business owners are turning to Bubble.io agencies and freelance developers, having realized that Bubble significantly saves both time and cost in web app development. Some of the reasons for outsourcing are:
Speed: Avoiding the learning curve to launch the app quickly.
Focus: Concentrating on the other critical aspects of the business.
Expertise: Seeking guidance from experienced professionals with a track record of building successful projects.
Choosing the right Bubble developers in a competitive landscape and determining who excels in delivering a balance of quality, speeds, and support can be tough. Whether you are transitioning your SaaS to a no-code platform or creating a marketplace app, the no-code landscape is growing quickly.
Finding the right Bubble developer is made simpler with our guide. Learn how to assess both Bubble.io agencies and individual freelance Bubble developers to make the right choice for your project.
Check out our guide “What is Bubble.io? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners” to learn more about Bubble’s functionality and determine if it’s the right tool for you.
Bubble.io Agency Vs. Freelance Bubble Developer
An increasing number of Bubble app development experts of various expertise levels are joining the market as startup founders and business owners realize Bubble’s capability to develop web apps faster and cheaper.
A frequently asked question is whether it’s better to collaborate with a Bubble agency or a freelance Bubble developer. Freelancers can be a good option if you have a limited budget (below $5k) or searching for a technical cofounder. However, choosing the right Bubble development agency is the best option if you’re looking for a reliable, professional, and consistent team.
In the following section, we have outlined the benefits associated with each option that clients have shared during our discussion.
Pros of Freelance Bubble.io Developer:
- Less Costly.
- Sometimes faster and more flexible.
- Direct connection.
- Possibility to hire the developer onto your team.
Pros of Bubble.io Agency:
- Capable of handling larger and more complicated projects.
- Higher degree of professionalism and consistency.
- More experience and a centralized pool of knowledge and tools to utilize.
- Less risky.
- More specialization within a team (project manager, designer, developer, Quality Assurance, etc.).
- More structured processes.
Criteria to Evaluate Bubble Developers Effectively
The landscape of freelancers and Bubble agencies is diverse; some are well-known and trustworthy, while others may not stick around for long, thanks to Bubble’s growing popularity as a highly adaptable no-code tool. So, how can you determine who to consider?
The first step is to identify who you can trust. The second step involves looking for the small differences in their processes and offerings that might be better or worse for what you need.
To assist you in choosing the right fit for your needs, there are a few important points to consider. Here is a list of factors to consider when hiring a Bubble agency or developer:
1. Vendor Profile:
Expertise and Track Record: How long have they been in business? Specifically, how many years have they focused on making Bubble app development? Can they show case studies and credible reviews?
In the fast-changing world of no-code development, new agencies and freelancers are emerging frequently. To trust their claims, it is important to see that they must have experience of few years and a reliable work record. In the context of no-code, the metrics of experience are listed below
- More than 5 years = highly advanced/ experience, less risk.
- 2 to 5 years = good experience, moderate risk.
- <1 year = higher risk.
Case Studies: Have they worked on projects similar to yours before? Can they show that they have built the same kind of applications and have worked with businesses similar to your company size?
A bubble agency or developer who has worked on similar projects, especially with businesses like yours, will understand the specific requirements. If you’re a startup, they’ll guide you on how to launch your app quickly. If you’re an enterprise, they will understand your security, scaling, and support needs.
Location: Are they located offshore, locally, or available across the globe?
It is important for addressing language differences and time zone variations. For instance, collaborating with someone in your time zone may be preferable for real-time communication, while collaborating with someone in a different time zone can offer flexibility.
Employees: Can you find the profiles of their employees and staff? Do they specialize in no-code development? or they previously had diverse roles like manager or consultant?
Pricing Structure: Compare their pricing structure with others. Higher or lower prices than the industry standard for your project scope can be a bad sign. The key objective is to find the appropriate value.
Availability: Check how quickly they can start your project. If they start right away, it might be a sign of desperation. However, if they are booked for a long time (for instance, more than five months), it means they are not available. Try to find someone who can start the process within a week or two.
2. Vendor Process:
Assessment and Planning: How well they are in outlining the features and design of your Bubble app from the start? Are they asking the right questions about products and requirements? Are they rushing the process by making commitments without fully understanding your project?
Comprehensive upfront planning and communication are necessary to find how much effort and time it will take to create your software. If an agency or developer doesn’t spend enough time on this step, your project might miss deadlines, exceed budget, and not meet your requirements.
Design and Development
Do they create custom designs every time? Or do they follow an established system?
Choosing between the two depends on your needs. If you prioritize speed and quick launch, choose Bubble agency or a freelancer with a reliable design. If you want something bespoke, opt for a vendor that allocated over 50% of the project to design and discovery. Be aware that it might come with a higher cost.
Launch and Support
Do they offer ongoing support to adapt to your evolving product needs over time?
This aspect is often ignored or undervalued to expedite timelines and reduce costs, but they need to discuss the plan and long-term support for making future adjustments and additions.
Team Setup
Is one person managing every aspect of your project, or is there a team for consistency? Having a point person for team accountability and management is essential and can assist in avoiding issues during project development.
Pricing Models
Do they charge based on the time and materials at hourly rates, or do they give fixed pricing? Or do they provide estimated costs with possible extra charges?
Easy Ways to Find and Research Freelance Bubble Developers and Bubble Agencies
Bubble Agencies Pages
Bubble’s website is the go-to source for finding skilled professionals. The diverse professionals include solo entrepreneurs, single-member agencies, and larger development firms with expertise in various application design and development aspects.
Agency Websites
Explore individual agency websites linked on Bubble’s agencies list. It allows you to get a closer look at the crucial details, such as the services they offer, previous clients, areas of specialization, and years of experience to assist you in finding the one that aligns with your needs.
Review Sites
Once you’ve shortlisted the vendors on Bubble’s platform, you can validate your choices by reading customer reviews on sites like Clutch, G2, and FeaturedCustomer. These platforms provide in-depth reviews, case studies, success stories, testimonials, and customer videos.
For a deeper understanding of the professionals, view their profiles on LinkedIn.
Conclusion
If your requirements are simple, hiring a freelancer could be a more budget-friendly option. However, if your app’s success is crucial for your business and financial stability, choosing a Bubble.io agency is a wise option.
By aligning your expectations and dedicating time upfront to choose a vendor with the necessary experience, expertise, transparent processes, and suitable services, you can create an app that not only fulfills your requirements but also ensures a significant return on your investment.
Hashlogics, a pioneering and largest Bubble.io agency, is committed to assisting companies of all sizes in accessing the top 1% of Bubble developers.
Launch your complex apps with us faster and more cost-effectively as compared to traditional development firms.
Take a closer look at the considerations outlined in our blog post, “When to Hire a Freelance Bubble Developer Vs. Bubble.io Agency.”
