Plan Your Workflows Like a Pro: Tips for a Smarter Bubble.io App!

Hey,

This week, I want to share some insights on designing with workflows in mind. One of the best ways to make your app feel smooth and user-friendly is to plan your workflows from the start. It’s not just about getting things done—it’s about getting things done efficiently!

With a solid workflow structure, you can save time, avoid headaches down the line, and make your app run smoother for users. Here are my top tips to help you design smarter workflows in Bubble.io.

1. Map Out Your User Journeys First

Before jumping into Bubble, take a step back and think through how users will interact with your app. This helps you understand where workflows are needed and ensures they’re intuitive.

How To Do It:

• Sketch out each major user action, like signing up, adding items to a cart, or viewing their profile.

• Identify the steps required for each action. For example, signing up might involve creating a new user, verifying their email, and updating their profile.

Pro Tip: Think of it as a “story” that each user follows in your app. Mapping it out visually (like a flowchart) can make it easier to design smooth workflows.

2. Keep Workflows Short and Focused

Long workflows with multiple steps can slow things down, especially on pages with lots of data processing. Instead, break them up into smaller, focused workflows to keep things running smoothly.

How To Do It:

• Use Custom Events for repeated actions across your app, like saving data or showing notifications. This allows you to reuse the same workflow instead of creating it from scratch every time.

• Avoid “All-in-One” workflows. If you’re creating a complex process, see if you can split it into multiple, smaller workflows that run sequentially.

Pro Tip: Every workflow should have a clear purpose. If it’s trying to do too much, consider breaking it up.

3. Use ‘Only When’ Conditions Wisely

The “Only When” condition is your friend when it comes to workflow optimisation. Instead of triggering a workflow every time, add conditions to make sure it only runs when necessary. This can save processing power and make your app feel more responsive.

How To Do It:

• Set an “Only When” condition for workflows that depend on specific user actions or data states.

• For example, if you have a workflow that updates a user’s profile picture, use “Only When this image isn’t empty” to make sure it only runs when there’s an image to update.

Pro Tip: Avoid overly complex conditions. If a workflow requires multiple checks, see if you can simplify it by storing certain values in Custom States or using simpler conditions.

4. Take Advantage of Backend Workflows

Backend (or API) workflows are great for offloading tasks that don’t need to happen immediately. This can help your app’s front-end stay fast and responsive while more intensive tasks are handled behind the scenes.

How To Do It:

• Use backend workflows for tasks like sending emails, updating large datasets, or running batch processes.

• For example, if your app sends a welcome email to new users, trigger this as a backend workflow after they sign up, so it doesn’t slow down the user’s experience.

Pro Tip: Backend workflows are also useful for scheduled tasks, like daily reports or reminders. Set them up to run at off-peak times for even better performance.

5. Optimise for Mobile with Shorter Workflows

If your app will be used on mobile, keep in mind that workflows feel longer on smaller screens. Design your workflows with mobile in mind by simplifying actions and reducing the number of steps.

How To Do It:

• Use Page Loading Indicators to show users that something is happening. This keeps them engaged, especially if a workflow takes a moment to complete.

• Avoid unnecessary page redirects. Instead of jumping between multiple pages, use pop-ups or dynamic content that loads in the same view.

Pro Tip: Test your workflows on different devices. What feels smooth on desktop might feel laggy on mobile, so adjust accordingly.

That’s a Wrap!

Planning workflows in Bubble.io can make a huge difference in your app’s performance and user experience. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building an app that’s not only powerful but also enjoyable to use. Try applying these strategies to your current project and let me know how it goes!

Got any questions or want me to cover a specific topic in Bubble.io? Just hit reply—I’d love to hear from you!

Until next week,
Brodie - Stackless