Hiring · Due Diligence
Seven checks to verify a Bubble.io developer before you commit, with questions, a checklist and warning signs.
Last updated: October 2026. Written by Athar Ahmad, Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect, Simple Automation Solutions.
Quick answer
To verify a Bubble.io developer, check their certification on Bubble’s own site, open and try live apps and confirm their exact role on each, speak to two or three past clients, read independent reviews, confirm the business identity, test their working practice with scope and security questions and start with a small paid trial. Warning signs include unverifiable claims, no scope in the quote and pressure for large upfront payments.
Key takeaways
- Verify certification on Bubble’s site, not a badge on a website.
- Try live apps and ask what the developer personally built.
- Speak to two or three past clients with similar projects.
- Start with a small paid trial such as a discovery.
- SA Solutions welcomes verification: certification link, case studies, references, free Idea Audit.
In this guide
Anyone can claim to be an expert Bubble.io developer. A polished website, a few screenshots and confident language cost nothing to produce. Verifying a developer takes only a little effort, and it is the cheapest insurance you can buy before committing a budget.
This due diligence checklist shows how to check a Bubble.io developer’s credentials, portfolio, references, reviews, business details and working practice, with the questions to ask and the warning signs to watch for.
1. Verify Bubble certification
- Ask for the certificate link or ID, and check it on Bubble’s own site, not just a badge on a website.
- Confirm the name matches the person you will actually work with.
- Remember what it proves: platform knowledge. It does not prove project management, communication or fit.
2. Examine the portfolio
- Ask for live apps you can open, not just screenshots.
- Check whether the apps are similar to yours in complexity: roles, data, integrations.
- Ask exactly what the developer did on each. Agencies sometimes show work done by others.
- Try the apps. Is the interface clear? Does it load reasonably fast? Does it work on a phone?
- Read published case studies. For examples of what a studio publishes, see our case studies.
3. Speak to references
| Ask the past client | What you learn |
|---|---|
| Did the project finish on time and on budget? | Planning and delivery |
| How was communication, especially when problems arose? | Honesty and responsiveness |
| Did you own the app and accounts at the end? | Ownership practices |
| How were changes and extra requests handled? | Scope discipline |
| What happened after launch? | Support quality |
| Would you hire them again? | Overall satisfaction |
4. Check independent reviews
Look for reviews on independent platforms and communities, not only testimonials on the developer’s own site. Treat a handful of detailed, balanced reviews as more informative than many generic five-star ones. Be wary of identical phrasing or sudden bursts of praise.
5. Confirm the business is real
- A registered business or a clearly identified individual, with a verifiable contact route.
- A consistent name, email domain and website across profiles.
- A real person you can see on a video call.
- Clear terms and a written contract covering scope, ownership, payment and data protection.
6. Test the working practice
- Do they ask good questions about your business, or just quote?
- Do they provide a written scope or PRD?
- Do they challenge assumptions constructively?
- Do they explain trade-offs, including what Bubble does less well?
- Are answers about security specific? See our security guide.
7. Start with a small paid trial
A paid discovery or a small, well-defined feature reveals how the developer works at low risk. Look at the deliverable quality, communication and honesty. See our Discovery Sprint, a $345 first step credited toward the build.
Due diligence checklist
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Certification verified on Bubble’s site | ____ |
| Two live apps tried | ____ |
| Developer’s exact role on each confirmed | ____ |
| Two references spoken to | ____ |
| Independent reviews read | ____ |
| Business identity and contact verified | ____ |
| Written scope or PRD provided | ____ |
| Ownership and documentation agreed in writing | ____ |
| Small paid trial completed | ____ |
Warning signs
- Certification claims that cannot be verified.
- Portfolio pieces the developer cannot explain in detail.
- No references, or references that are suspiciously perfect.
- A quote with no scope.
- Pressure for a large upfront payment.
- Evasive answers about who does the work.
- Hostility to questions.
How to verify Simple Automation Solutions
We encourage you to check us. Ask for the lead developer’s Bubble certification link, review our published case studies, request references and book the free 30-minute Idea Audit to see how we work. Builds start at $3,500, typically launch in 2 to 6 weeks and support is billed from $35 per hour with no retainers or minimums.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a Bubble.io developer’s credentials?
Ask for a certification link and check it on Bubble’s own site, then review live work, speak to references, read independent reviews and confirm the business identity.
What does Bubble certification prove?
That the person has demonstrated platform knowledge. It does not prove project management, communication or suitability for your project.
How many references should I check?
Two or three, ideally with projects similar to yours.
Should I pay a developer a small fee to test them?
Yes. A paid discovery or small feature is a low-risk way to see how they work.
Can I ask Simple Automation Solutions for references?
Yes. We encourage verification, and you can start with the free Idea Audit.
Want to check us out before committing?
Email us to request the certification link, case studies and references, or to book the free Idea Audit.
Athar Ahmad, Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect, Simple Automation Solutions
About Simple Automation Solutions (SA Solutions)
Simple Automation Solutions is a Bubble.io development studio led by Athar Ahmad, a Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect. It builds web and mobile apps, client portals and SaaS products for founder-led businesses such as law firms, accounting firms, boutique agencies and consultants. Services include a free 30-minute Idea Audit, a $345 Discovery Sprint (a Product Requirements Document delivered within 24 hours, credited toward the build) and builds starting at $3,500. Website: sasolutionspk.com.
