The 5 Most Common Mistakes on Bubble and How to Avoid Them

Bubble is a powerful no-code platform, but like any tool, it requires understanding and careful planning to use effectively. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Bubble developer, avoiding common pitfalls can save you time, money, and frustration. Here are the five most common mistakes on Bubble and how to steer clear of them.

1. Poor Database Design

The Mistake:

Many new users dive into building their app without properly planning the database structure. This can lead to inefficient workflows, slow performance, and difficulty scaling.

How to Avoid It:

• Plan Your Data Types: Clearly define what data types you need and their relationships before you start building.

• Use Option Sets: For static data (e.g., categories or statuses), use option sets instead of creating separate data types.

• Normalize Data: Avoid duplicating data unnecessarily to ensure better performance and easier updates.

2. Inefficient Workflows

The Mistake:

Overcomplicating workflows with redundant actions or failing to optimize logic can slow down your application significantly.

How to Avoid It:

• Simplify Actions: Break complex workflows into smaller, reusable workflows.

• Avoid Recursive Loops: Be cautious with recursive workflows and test them thoroughly to prevent infinite loops.

• Use Custom States: For temporary data storage, use custom states instead of creating database entries.

3. Neglecting Responsive Design

The Mistake:

Creating an app that looks great on desktop but doesn’t adapt well to mobile devices can alienate a large portion of your users.

How to Avoid It:

• Use Responsive Settings: Familiarize yourself with Bubble’s responsive editor to adjust layouts for different screen sizes.

• Group Elements: Ensure elements are grouped logically and use alignment tools to maintain consistency.

• Test Regularly: Preview your app on different devices throughout the development process.

4. Overusing Plugins

The Mistake:

Relying on too many third-party plugins can make your app bloated and harder to maintain.

How to Avoid It:

• Choose Plugins Wisely: Only use plugins that are essential to your app’s functionality.

• Read Reviews: Check plugin ratings and reviews to ensure reliability.

• Learn Native Features: Before installing a plugin, explore whether Bubble’s native features can accomplish the same task.

5. Ignoring Performance Optimization

The Mistake:

Failing to optimize your app’s performance can lead to slow load times and frustrated users.

How to Avoid It:

• Optimize Searches: Use constraints in searches to limit the amount of data being retrieved.

• Limit Page Elements: Avoid overloading a single page with too many elements and workflows.

• Monitor App Metrics: Use Bubble’s performance tools to identify and fix bottlenecks.

Conclusion

Bubble offers incredible flexibility for building powerful applications, but it’s important to avoid these common mistakes to make the most of the platform. By planning your database structure, optimizing workflows, ensuring responsive design, being selective with plugins, and focusing on performance, you can build an app that’s efficient, scalable, and user-friendly.

If you’re looking for expert guidance on your Bubble project, contact App Studio. Our team specializes in no-code development and can help you create a robust, high-performing application without the headaches.