How to Startup: Empowering Creators with No-Code

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Welcome to this edition of "How to Startup," where we share real stories from founders who have navigated the early days of launching a venture. In this post, we'll explore how two entrepreneurs created a platform that opened software development to the masses without writing a line of code.

Founder Spotlight: Emmanuel Straschnov and Josh Haas, Co-founders of Bubble

The Beginning of Bubble

Bubble was born out of a vision shared by Emmanuel Straschnov and Josh Haas in 2012. Both believed that the ability to create software applications should not be limited to experienced engineers. They noticed countless entrepreneurs and small organizations wanted to build web platforms but struggled with coding or with the high cost of hiring developers.

They began prototyping a no-code platform that allowed users to visually drag and drop elements to build web applications. Their hope was to empower non-technical founders, freelancers, and small businesses to launch and iterate quickly.

Early Challenges

Despite a clear mission, the Bubble team faced hurdles in the beginning:

1. Technical Complexity: Creating a true no-code environment required sophisticated software architecture that could handle databases, user authentication, and front-end design all at once.

2. Market Education: Early on, many potential users questioned whether serious apps could be built without coding. Demonstrating Bubble’s reliability and scope was a challenge.

3. Bootstrapped Growth: Rather than aggressively fundraising, Bubble initially relied on revenue from a small but dedicated user base to stay afloat. This limited how fast they could hire and expand.

4. Feature Prioritization: Users requested a wide variety of features, from payment integrations to advanced workflows. The team had to decide which functionalities to build first.

5. Competition: While no-code was still an emerging category, various website builders and low-code tools were also vying for attention.

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Turning the Corner

Key decisions and strategies helped Bubble gain traction:

1. Community Focus: Bubble created an active forum where users shared projects, tips, and tutorials, fostering a supportive environment for newcomers.

2. Freemium Model: The basic platform was free, lowering the barrier to entry. Power users could upgrade for advanced features, enabling stable revenue growth.

3. Showcasing Success Stories: The founders highlighted real apps built on Bubble from early-stage startups to small businesses generating revenue. This proof-of-concept dispelled doubts about no-code’s viability.

4. Gradual Funding Approach: After bootstrapping for years, Bubble secured a significant funding round in 2021, raising $100 million. This capital infusion allowed them to hire more engineers, improve performance, and add in-demand features.

5. Focus on Education and Resources: Bubble launched tutorials, webinars, and a coaching marketplace to help users learn step by step, boosting user retention and satisfaction.

Today, Bubble is used by entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and even larger organizations seeking to build and scale web applications without the time or cost of traditional development.

Advice for New Founders from Bubble’s Experience

1. Start with a Clear Vision
   Identify a core problem, in this case the high barrier of coding, and stick to solving it effectively.

2. Build a Community Early
   User forums or Slack groups can help early adopters share experiences, solve issues, and spread the word about your product.

3. Prove Real-World Impact
   Showcase tangible successes or case studies to demonstrate that your solution can handle genuine business needs.

4. Adopt a Sustainable Funding Strategy
   If you choose to bootstrap, be prepared for slower but steadier growth. If you pursue outside funding, do it with a clear plan for scaling product and team.

5. Keep Educating Your Market
   Innovation often requires explaining the concept repeatedly. Tutorials, demos, and user-friendly documentation can ease adoption hurdles.

Mistake to Avoid: Overlooking Long-Term User Engagement

Bubble’s growth relied on keeping users invested over time, well beyond initial sign-up. Many startups focus heavily on acquisition but neglect ongoing engagement and support.

Why It Happens

• Tunnel Vision on Growth: Founders chase new customers while existing users may be left figuring things out on their own.

• Resource Constraints: Small teams often lack dedicated customer success or community management roles in the early days.

• Underestimating Complexity: If the product has a learning curve, users will need continuous guidance and support to stay motivated.

Potential Consequences

• User Churn: Frustrated users or those who can’t see immediate value might abandon the platform.

• Weak Reputation: Negative word-of-mouth can overshadow positive early buzz, impacting your brand.

• Limited Upsells: Without strong engagement, it’s difficult to move free users into paid tiers or convince customers to explore premium features.

How to Avoid This Mistake

1. Plan Customer Journeys
   Map the stages your users go through, from discovery to advanced usage. Identify where they might need additional resources.

2. Implement Feedback Loops
   Collect data and user comments to pinpoint areas of friction and fix them quickly.

3. Offer Layered Support
   Provide self-serve documentation, community forums, and optional one-on-one coaching or premium support.

4. Recognize Milestones
   Celebrate user progress and highlight success stories to keep motivation levels high.

Quick Tips

• Product Development Tip: Consider building a marketplace (like Bubble’s template store or coaching marketplace) to let your community create and sell add-ons, expanding your ecosystem.

• Marketing Tip: User success stories can be your strongest marketing asset. Show how real customers saved money or launched faster using your product.

• Finance Tip: If you’re bootstrapping, track expenses carefully and weigh each new hire or feature against potential ROI.

Resource Roundup

1. Book

   • The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

   • A classic read on iterative product development and validating ideas quickly

   • Amazon Link

2. Tool

   • Intercom

   • A customer communication platform to manage in-app chat, onboarding, and feedback collection, crucial for user engagement

3. Article

   • “How Bubble Bootstrapped for Years Before Raising $100M”

   • TechCrunch piece detailing Bubble’s journey from lean beginnings to securing large-scale funding

4. Podcast

   • “Forward Thinking: Bubble’s Emmanuel Straschnov on No-Code”

   • An interview diving into the motivations, challenges, and future of no-code tools from Bubble’s co-founder

That concludes this edition of "How to Startup." Bubble’s story shows how a relentless focus on lowering barriers and building a supportive user community can turn a seemingly niche idea into a thriving business. Whether you code or not, keep an eye on solving real user problems and nurturing a platform that grows with them.

Until next time, stay innovative, stay user-centric, and build solutions that democratize access for all!

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