SALE

$50
0 days 0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds

Multi-Page vs Single-Page Navigation in Bubble.io: Which Approach Should You Choose?

When building no-code applications in Bubble.io, developers face a critical architectural decision: should you create a single-page app with tab-like navigation, or build a traditional multi-page application? This choice significantly impacts your app's performance, maintainability, and user experience.

Why Multi-Page Navigation is the Recommended Approach

Most experienced Bubble developers strongly recommend multi-page navigation over single-page apps, and for good reason. Multi-page apps create separate pages for different sections of your application, allowing users to navigate between distinct URLs. This approach mirrors how enterprise-level SaaS applications are built and provides several crucial advantages.

With multi-page navigation, each page loads independently with its own set of elements and workflows. When a user clicks from your dashboard to settings, they're actually navigating to a completely different page with a new URL. This creates cleaner architecture and better performance optimization.

The Hidden Problems with Single-Page Apps

Single-page apps (also called multi-tab layouts) show and hide different groups of content on the same page to simulate navigation. While this might seem faster because there's no page reload, it creates serious problems that compound over time.

Editor Performance Issues: As your single-page app grows, you'll accumulate hundreds or thousands of groups on a single page. This makes the Bubble editor extremely slow and unresponsive, significantly hampering your development speed.

Development Complexity: Finding and organizing elements becomes increasingly difficult. What starts as a simple navigation system quickly becomes an unmanageable maze of nested groups and conditional statements.

URL and Sharing Limitations: Single-page apps using custom states cannot provide direct links to specific sections. If you need to send a user directly to their order history, you cannot provide a shareable URL that takes them there immediately.

Performance and User Experience Considerations

Contrary to popular belief, multi-page navigation doesn't create a poor user experience. Modern users are accustomed to page loads, especially in web applications. Even enterprise-level software with hundreds of thousands of users typically use multi-page architectures.

Single-page apps can actually hurt performance because all content must be loaded simultaneously, even content the user isn't viewing. Multi-page apps only load what's needed for each specific page.

The perceived speed benefit of single-page apps is often offset by the increased complexity and maintenance overhead they create during development.

Implementation Complexity in Bubble.io

Building multi-page navigation in Bubble is straightforward. You create separate pages for each section and use either link elements or "Go to page" workflow actions to navigate between them. Bubble automatically handles URL management and browser history.

Single-page implementations require complex conditional logic, custom states or URL parameters, and careful management of which groups are visible. While URL parameters can solve some single-page limitations, they add another layer of complexity without providing significant benefits over multi-page apps.

When Single-Page Apps Might Be Appropriate

The only scenario where single-page apps are recommended is when you're specifically trying to create a native mobile app-like experience, particularly if you plan to wrap your web app for app store distribution. Even then, this approach carries risks and limitations.

For desktop-first applications, mobile-responsive web apps, or any application where users access content through a web browser, multi-page navigation is the superior choice.

Making the Right Choice for Your Project

Unless you have a compelling reason to create a native mobile app experience, choose multi-page navigation for your Bubble application. This approach provides better maintainability, cleaner development experience, proper URL handling, and easier customer support.

Remember that successful SaaS applications are built to scale, and multi-page architecture scales much better than single-page implementations in no code development environments.

Learn more with Bubble tutorials

Hi, I'm Matt 👋

Your Guide to Bubble No-Code App Development

My Journey

  • Discovered Bubble.io in 2017 while working as a WordPress web designer.
  • Transitioned into a full-time Bubble coach and tutor with over 7 years of experience.

Achievements

  • Helped hundreds of students turn their app ideas into reality.
  • Over 37,000 YouTube subscribers and 1,200,000+ views on tutorial videos.

Why Learn from me

  • Real-World Experience: Built internal tools, side projects, and collaborated with entrepreneurs using Bubble.io.
  • Proven Success: Students have launched successful apps, some even selling their creations.
  • Passionate Educator: Committed to your success and eager to share hard-won insights and strategies.
Your No-Code Journey Starts Here

The best way to learn Bubble.io?

Build No Code Confidently

No more delays. With 30+ hours of expert content, you’ll have the insights needed to build effectively.

Find every solution in one place

No more searching across platforms for tutorials. Our bundle has everything you need, with 500 videos covering every feature and technique.

Dive deep into every detail

Get beyond the basics with comprehensive, in-depth courses & no code tutorials that empower you to create a feature-rich, professional app.

Member
Accelerate your Bubble app to launch
$149 lifetime
$99Lifetime/mo
Includes:
Find the right tutorial with our custom trained AI
4 premium courses
Slack Community
14 day money back. Cancel anytime
Unlock Lifetime Access – $99
Member
Accelerate your Bubble app to launch
$990 / year
$149/year/mo
Includes:
Find the right tutorial with our custom trained AI
4 premium courses
Slack Community
14 day money back. Cancel anytime
Join now

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our courses, tutorials & content.

Do I need any coding experience?

No. Our Beginner Essentials course and AI No-Code Coach are designed for total newcomers. You’ll learn Bubble.io step by step - no coding required.

How does the AI No-Code Coach work?

Simply type your question in plain English, and our AI taps into the entire video library to recommend the exact lessons you need. It’s like having a personal instructor on demand.

How long can I access the content?

Forever. With our lifetime membership, you get unlimited access to all videos, our growing course library, and the AI No-Code Coach. Pay once, and it’s yours for life. No subscriptions, no ongoing fees.

What courses are included

Your subscription includes:

  • Bubble Beginner Essentials – Get up and running fast.
  • Build a ChatGPT Clone – Integrate AI into your no-code apps.
  • Build Your SaaS Website with AI – Learn to create a scalable startup site.
  • Develop a Custom CRM App in Bubble - Learn database relationships with a CRM.

Plus, new tutorials every week!

What if I get stuck on a lesson?

The AI No-Code Coach is your first stop for instant answers. If you need deeper help, you can book 1:1 Bubble coaching for expert guidance.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes! If you don’t see real progress within 14 days, let us know, and we’ll issue a full refund—no questions asked.

Can I cancel anytime?

Absolutely. Your subscription is month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime—no lock-ins, no hidden fees.

What if I want more than just tutorials & courses?

Absolutely. Your subscription is month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime—no lock-ins, no hidden fees.

If you’re serious about building a successful SaaS startup, check out Mastery—our intensive mentorship program. Mastery goes beyond Bubble.io development and includes:

  1. 1:1 mentorship to fast-track your progress
  2. Marketing strategies tailored for no-code founders
  3. Product management insights to scale your startup
  4. Personalized support from experienced founders

Still have questions?

Reach out to our dedicated team.