Templates are a great way to get started on any project quickly. With templates, users can easily import a pre-made app that has all of the features they need for their project. This saves them from the tedious task of developing an application from scratch. Templates come in a wide range of categories such as blog, CRM, and dashboard, which allows users to find the exact solution for their specific needs. 

In addition to saving time and energy, using templates can save costs too. As some templates come with built-in ready-to-use functions, developers also do not have to invest in additional added plugins or products that would otherwise accumulate additional costs otherwise spent on conventional development methods. Moreover, templates let developers configure their applications quickly with plug-and-play components that come preconfigured with the required services, platforms, SDKs, libraries, APIs, etc., which makes it easier to develop apps quickly without spending precious resources configuring frameworks or digging through lengthy documentation.

What is a Bubble template?

I know, we talked about Bubble templates as if you knew what they are. Maybe you do, maybe you don't, just in case, I want to talk about what they are before we continue. Bubble templates are pre-made sites, software applications, landing pages, or building blocks typically created by experienced developers.  These can include built-in functionality such as features, buttons, search boxes, API integrations, database design, workflows and drag and drop elements. 

For instance, if you’re looking to build a social media platform similar to Facebook, Bubble has a template that provides most of the core features that would normally require several development months, or even years, if done from scratch. This specific template comes with some of the more complicated features you would need in a social media platform like authentication, social feeds, and messaging. This means you can take this template and be up and running in minutes instead of months or even. 

What types of templates can I find in the Bubble marketplace?

There is a wide variety of templates in the Bubble marketplace. Currently, the number of templates available runs into the thousands with more being added consistently. Some of the most popular template types on offer are CRMs, directories, social platforms, and dashboards, although there are more categories in the marketplace. Here are the categories Bubble supports at this moment:

Inside these categories you will find a little of everything from Facebook clones, Uber Eats clones to Jasper.ai clones and more.

What benefits of using a Bubble.io template?

A. Time-saving

No-code platforms like Bubble.io drastically reduce the time it takes to develop web applications, thanks to their visual interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality. This means entrepreneurs can focus on refining their ideas and getting their products to market faster than if they were to use traditional coding methods.

With pre-built templates, the time-saving aspect is taken a step further. By leveraging templates such as Societal Labs and Direxact, entrepreneurs can launch their projects in hours or even minutes, as opposed to weeks or months. This allows them to stay ahead of the competition and quickly validate their ideas in the market.

B. Cost-effective

Traditional web development can be expensive, especially for startups and small businesses. However, no-code development platforms like Bubble.io significantly reduce these costs, as they eliminate the need for hiring a team of developers. Additionally, using pre-built templates, which can be purchased from the Bubble marketplace, further cuts down on expenses by providing a ready-made foundation for the application for entrepreneurs to launch their app ideas.

Empowering entrepreneurs to build their applications without extensive coding knowledge, no-code development platforms, and templates reduce the reliance on developers. This not only saves money but also gives entrepreneurs more control over their projects, allowing them to make changes and updates without needing to consult a developer.

C. Flexibility and customization

While templates provide a solid starting point for building web applications, they are also highly customizable. Entrepreneurs can easily modify and adapt templates like Societal Labs and Direxact to suit their specific needs and preferences, ensuring that their final product aligns with their vision.

No-code development platforms like Bubble.io are built with scalability in mind, making it easy for entrepreneurs to grow and expand their applications as their businesses evolve. This is crucial in today's rapidly changing business landscape, where the ability to pivot and adapt quickly can make all the difference.

Many of the available templates come with essential pre-built features like payment integration and social media logins that would otherwise take significant development time. This can dramatically reduce app development costs.

What is the price range for Bubble templates?

Using a template to build an app is an economical way to quickly create the foundation of your app and put it into action. Most templates offered through Bubble cost between nothing as they can be free and typically $399, with some slightly higher. For most people, the ideal Bubble template for their needs will cost between $79 and $299. This price point will provide them with all the UI elements, workflows, data structure, and security measures necessary for an MVP of their app.

How to find Bubble templates?

Finding a suitable Bubble template is relatively easy as long as there is a template built for your use case and it has what you need. The Bubble Marketplace is a great starting point for finding templates that might match your needs. Follow these instructions to get started

You can also sort (2) by usage, price, rating, number of ratings, publication date, and last update date. This will allow you to narrow down your results and find the best possible template for your needs.

Hovering over a template card gives you two options, Details and Preview. The Details option will lead you to the template's page where you will find a description, the pricing, and any other details the developer has included. This is also where you can acquire the template. 

The preview button will take you to the front end of the app where you can test it and see if it's a good fit for your needs.

How to install a Bubble template?

Installing a Bubble template from the Bubble marketplace is easy. Once you have completed the steps above and found the template you want, you can follow the following steps to install it:

Can you edit a Bubble template?

While some templates may suit your needs with no changes, others may require customization to make them perfect for your business. That's why I want to give a resounding Yes as an answer to your question, you can absolutely edit a Bubble template. Not only you can edit a Bubble template but you can also add new features, delete the ones you need and modify anything you don't like. Everything from the database, integrations, workflows, and design can easily be modified with a few clicks. This is great news for developers and entrepreneurs who desire a head start in building their web or mobile applications.

When customizing a template, you have two options available. The first is to do it yourself if you are familiar with the Bubble platform and have experience in app development. With this method, you don’t need to write code as everything can be done within the Bubble platform.

The other option is to hire an experienced programmer who has knowledge of the Bubble platform and coding language if you don't have the skills or the experience to do it yourself. This will enable them to make more extensive modifications to the template that are suited specifically to your specific needs. They can also add more advanced features such as generating forms or integrating data with third-party APIs. If you take this route, be sure to hire someone who has experience in using Bubble as it can be quite challenging for inexperienced no-code developers with little or no experience with Bubble.

Reviewing Templates

Reviewing templates is a great way to help the app development process, as it allows developers, just like us at Hustling Labs, and users to collaborate more comfortably. The template owner can be contacted directly by revealing one's email address and thus provide an answer when needed. As the app ecosystem grows, it’s important that we all take part in this process of learning and feedback by leaving reviews on the templates.

In order to leave a review, please follow these steps:

I always recommend that all reviews should be done objectively so that they are still constructive and helpful even if they come with criticism. This helps other devs learn from other experiences before implementing a certain template in their own applications. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it will allow us to create better versions of our apps for everyone involved!

Here I would like you to introduce you to two templates we have built, Societal Labs and Direxact, which are helping entrepreneurs build and launch their businesses faster than ever before.

Societal Labs: Building Your Own Social Media Platform

Societal Labs is a versatile template designed to help entrepreneurs build their own private social media platforms, similar to Facebook or LinkedIn. With its plug-and-play functionality, Societal Labs enables users to quickly launch a fully functional social media platform tailored to their unique requirements.

Features and functionalities

Societal Labs features a dynamic social feed, allowing users to stay updated on the latest posts, updates, and activities within their network. Using visual elements, you can modify the look and feel of not only the social feed but also any other aspect of the template.

The template supports various types of content, including text, images, and videos. Users can engage with posts by liking, commenting, or sharing them, fostering a sense of community and interaction.

Societal Labs includes customizable user profiles, where users can showcase their personal information, skills, interests, and more. This encourages networking and collaboration among members of the platform.

Entrepreneurs can create dedicated company pages to promote their businesses, share updates, and engage with their audience. This feature can be particularly useful for startups looking to build brand awareness and establish a strong online presence.

The template also supports the popular Stories format, allowing users to share ephemeral content that disappears after a set period of time. This adds an engaging and dynamic element to the platform.

Real-world applications and success stories

Societal Labs has been instrumental in helping numerous entrepreneurs launch their own social media platforms, catering to various niches and industries. For instance, a startup in the fitness industry used Societal Labs to create a dedicated social platform for fitness enthusiasts, connecting trainers, clients, and fitness enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community and support.

Direxact: Creating a Directory Website with Ease

Direxact is a comprehensive directory website template that enables entrepreneurs to build their own version of platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or even Uber Eats. With its extensive features and functionalities, Direxact makes it easy to create a powerful and user-friendly directory website.

Features and functionalities

Direxact allows users to rate and review listings, helping others make informed decisions based on real experiences and opinions.

The template supports restaurant listings, complete with menus, photos, and location information, making it easy for users to discover and explore dining options.

Direxact also includes lodging listings, allowing users to find and book accommodations based on their preferences and needs.

Each listing features a dedicated FAQ section, enabling businesses to address common queries and provide helpful information to potential customers.

The template supports customizable user profiles, where users can save their favorite listings, reviews, and more.

Direxact comes with intuitive dashboards for businesses, administrators, and users, streamlining the management and user experience of the platform.

The template also supports e-commerce functionality, allowing restaurants to accept online orders and provide delivery services, similar to Uber Eats.

Things to keep in mind with Bubble templates

While you should use a template as part of your strategy to create a viable MVP, keep in mind that you might need to update certain aspects of the template when your app scales. You may have features or business requirements that render current strategies impractical or outdated. However, don’t let this dissuade you from utilizing a template – it is a great starting point. Using one can save you time and money while allowing you to focus on getting your app off the ground as quickly as possible yet still culminating with an effective end result.

If you want to know which templates we think are the best, you can read our article about the best Bubble templates here.