Top Performance Mistakes to Avoid in Bubble.io (And Why You Should Hire Expert Bubble.io Developers)

Bubble.io is one of the most powerful no-code platforms for building full-stack web applications. It’s revolutionized how startups, solopreneurs, and even enterprises build and scale software. However, with great flexibility comes potential performance pitfalls. If you're not careful, your Bubble app can quickly become slow, inefficient, and hard to scale.

In this article, we’ll uncover the most common performance mistakes developers make in Bubble.io—and why it might be a smart move to hire expert Bubble.io developers to sidestep these costly missteps.

Why Performance Optimization Matters in Bubble.io

Performance isn't just a “nice-to-have” feature. In Bubble, a sluggish app can mean:

• Increased bounce rates

• Poor user experience

• High server workload

• Frustrated customers

• Delayed feature rollouts

Bubble gives developers significant freedom—but if you don’t understand how Bubble structures workflows, loads data, or handles database operations, you can unintentionally build a slow and unscalable product.

1. Overloading Pages with Too Many Elements

The Mistake:

New developers often cram too many visual elements into a single Bubble page—especially reusable groups, popups, and hidden workflows.

Why It Hurts:

Each element must load on page load, even if it’s hidden. This causes bloated pages that slow down initial load times.

Pro Tip:

Use single-purpose pages and load elements conditionally when needed. Better yet, reuse modular components to keep things lean.

2. Not Using “Do a Search For” Efficiently

The Mistake:

Many users overuse the “Do a Search For” function without filters, constraints, or proper indexing.

Why It Hurts:

Unfiltered searches force Bubble to scan your entire database every time, increasing load times exponentially as your data grows.

Pro Tip:

Use constraints and data privacy rules effectively. Also, consider setting up custom states to store temporary data instead of running a search every time.

3. Ignoring Backend Workflows

The Mistake:

Trying to do everything on the front end: from calculations to database updates.

Why It Hurts:

This not only slows down your UI but also risks client-side errors.

Pro Tip:

Move heavy or repetitive logic to backend workflows. Backend workflows run on Bubble’s server and don’t impact the user’s browser speed.

4. Using Repeating Groups Without Pagination

The Mistake:

Displaying hundreds or thousands of items in a single repeating group without enabling pagination or lazy loading.

Why It Hurts:

Repeating groups with large datasets load extremely slowly and affect user interactivity.

Pro Tip:

Paginate your repeating groups. Load 10–20 items at a time and use custom states or scrolling mechanisms to improve performance.

5. Not Leveraging Option Sets

The Mistake:

Storing small static data (e.g., categories, roles, tags) in the database instead of using Option Sets.

Why It Hurts:

Every database call adds latency. Option Sets are faster because they’re loaded with the app and don’t require a database search.

Pro Tip:

Use Option Sets for any static data that doesn’t change often. It speeds up workflows and improves search performance.

6. Over-Reliance on Custom States for Complex Logic

The Mistake:

Using dozens of custom states to manage multi-step user flows, toggles, filters, and more.

Why It Hurts:

Overuse of custom states can make workflows difficult to debug and cause state clashes, especially when users interact quickly.

Pro Tip:

Use custom states for lightweight UI logic, but move anything complex into reusable workflows or backend actions.

7. Not Setting Up Privacy Rules Properly

The Mistake:

Failing to create precise privacy rules leads to unnecessary exposure of user data or slower queries due to larger datasets being downloaded to the browser.

Why It Hurts:

Improper privacy rules not only affect speed but also pose a serious security risk.

Pro Tip:

Set strict privacy rules on each data type. Limit data access to only what’s required per user role.

8. Skipping Image and File Optimization

The Mistake:

Uploading full-size images and media files without compressing them.

Why It Hurts:

Large image files slow down your pages dramatically, especially on mobile networks.

Pro Tip:

Compress images before uploading or use Bubble’s built-in image transformations. Store large media files on third-party storage if possible.

9. Poorly Structured Database

The Mistake:

Designing databases like spreadsheets—adding too many fields to one type or creating excessive relational dependencies.

Why It Hurts:

Poor database architecture causes slower queries, bloated storage, and complicated workflows.

Pro Tip:

Normalize your data, avoid circular references, and plan your data structure before you start building.

10. No Performance Testing

The Mistake:

Launching apps without testing how they perform under real-world load.

Why It Hurts:

You might not realize your workflows or data structures are inefficient until it’s too late—and your users are already frustrated.

Pro Tip:

Use Bubble’s built-in performance tools, analyze server logs, and test workflows with dummy data to simulate real user behavior.

When to Hire Expert Bubble.io Developers

Now that you understand the risks of performance mistakes, you might be wondering: should I tackle all this myself?

That depends on your timeline, technical confidence, and budget. But here’s why many successful startups hire expert Bubble.io developers:

✅ They Know Bubble Inside Out

Experienced developers understand how Bubble works under the hood. They avoid costly mistakes from day one.

✅ Speed Up Development

They know the shortcuts, templates, and performance best practices that shave off weeks of trial and error.

✅ Scalable Architecture

Expert Bubble developers build with the future in mind—making your app scalable, secure, and easy to expand.

✅ Custom Plugin or API Integration

Need a unique function or third-party API? Experts can build custom plugins or set up seamless integrations without slowing your app down.

✅ Ongoing Maintenance & Upgrades

Hiring professionals means you get long-term support—so your app keeps performing even as you grow.

Final Thoughts

Bubble.io is a game-changer—but only if you build smart from the start. Avoiding performance pitfalls can save you time, money, and unhappy users. And if you want to go beyond the basics and launch a truly professional app, it’s worth the investment to hire expert Bubble.io developers.

Whether you’re building your MVP or scaling a successful product, don’t let performance bottlenecks hold you back. Optimize early, test often—and bring in the pros when it matters most.