Bubble AI + Hostwares: How to Host Your AI-Built Frontend
Bubble AI makes it easier to create web applications with less coding. But after building your application, you may want a reliable hosting environment where you can deploy, connect your domain, enable SSL, and manage the live project. In this guide, we’ll walk through the complete process of preparing a Bubble AI-generated frontend and hosting the available frontend code on Hostwares.
1. Create Your Application with Bubble AI
Start by creating your application in Bubble AI. Define what you want to build, such as:
- Business website
- SaaS dashboard
- Landing page
- Customer portal
- AI-powered interface
- Web application frontend Describe your requirements clearly so Bubble can generate the initial application structure and UI.
2. Review the Generated Frontend
Before deployment, review the generated application carefully. Check:
- Homepage
- Navigation
- Buttons
- Forms
- Images
- Responsive layout
- Mobile view
- API connections
- Environment-dependent settings Fix any visible issues before preparing the project for hosting.
3. Check Whether Your Project Can Be Exported
This is an important step. Bubble is primarily a visual application development platform, so not every Bubble application can simply be exported as standalone frontend source code. If your specific workflow provides exportable frontend code or an external frontend project generated alongside Bubble, prepare that code for deployment. If the application remains fully dependent on Bubble's runtime/backend, Hostwares should not be treated as a direct replacement for Bubble's application runtime.
4. Prepare the Frontend Project
If you have exportable frontend code, download or obtain the project files. A typical frontend project may contain files such as:
package.jsonsrcpublicindex.html- Configuration files
- Build scripts Keep the complete project folder together.
5. Test the Project Locally
Before uploading it to a server, test the project locally. Install the required dependencies and run the development server according to the project's instructions.
Check:
- Pages load correctly
- Buttons work
- Images appear
- Forms work
- API requests work
- No major console errors appear
- Mobile layout works properly
6. Prepare the Project for Production
For React, Vite, or similar frontend projects, create a production build. The exact command depends on the project. Commonly, the process uses commands such as:
npm install
npm run build
```After a successful build, you will normally get a production-ready folder such as `dist` or `build`.
# 7. Create a Hostwares Account
Go to Hostwares and create or sign in to your account.
From the dashboard, open the section used for creating a new hosting/deployment project.
Choose the hosting option suitable for your frontend application.
# 8. Create a New Project
Create a new project in Hostwares.
Depending on the available deployment method, you may be able to connect a code repository or upload your project.
Enter a clear project name so you can easily identify it later.
# 9. Connect Your Project
If your frontend code is stored in GitHub, connect the appropriate repository.
Select:
* Repository
* Branch
* Project directory
* Build settings
If Hostwares supports direct project uploads for your selected service, upload the prepared project files instead.
# 10. Configure the Build
For a modern frontend project, configure the required build command and output directory.
For example:
```text
Build Command: npm run build
Output Directory: dist
The exact values depend on how your Bubble-related frontend project was generated. Do not copy these settings blindly—check the project's configuration first.
11. Add Environment Variables
If the application uses API keys, backend URLs, authentication services, or other configuration values, add them through the project's environment-variable settings. Never place private API keys directly into publicly accessible frontend files. For example:
API_URL=your-api-url
Use the variable names required by your application.
12. Deploy the Application
Once the project configuration is ready, start the deployment. Hostwares will process the project and create the production version of your frontend. Monitor the deployment logs. If the build succeeds, your application should become available through the Hostwares project URL.
13. Check the Live Website
Open the generated project URL and test the application. Check:
- Homepage
- Navigation
- Images
- Forms
- API connections
- Login functionality
- Mobile responsiveness
- Page refresh
- Browser console Make sure everything works as expected before connecting your main domain.
14. Connect Your Custom Domain
If you already own a domain, add it to your Hostwares project. Hostwares will provide the DNS information required for the connection. Open your domain provider's DNS management area and add the required records. DNS changes may take some time to become active.
15. Enable SSL
After the domain is connected, make sure HTTPS/SSL is enabled. Your website should open securely using:
https://yourdomain.com
```Test both the main domain and important pages after SSL is active.
# 16. Test Frontend and Backend Communication
If your Bubble application depends on Bubble's backend, APIs, or external services, verify that the hosted frontend can still communicate with them correctly.
Check:
* API endpoints
* Authentication
* CORS settings
* Form submissions
* Database requests
* External integrations
Hosting the frontend does not automatically move the Bubble backend to Hostwares.
# 17. Optimize the Frontend
After deployment, improve the user experience.
Consider:
* Compressing images
* Removing unused dependencies
* Optimizing JavaScript
* Improving mobile responsiveness
* Adding proper page titles
* Adding meta descriptions
* Checking loading speed
A lightweight frontend usually provides a better experience for visitors.
# 18. Monitor Your Application
After going live, regularly check your Hostwares project.
Monitor:
* Deployment status
* Resource usage
* Application errors
* Domain status
* SSL status
* Build logs
If a new deployment fails, check the deployment logs first.
# 19. Update Your Application
When you make changes to the Bubble-related frontend:
1. Update the project.
2. Test the changes.
3. Commit the updated code if using GitHub.
4. Push the changes.
5. Start a new deployment on Hostwares.
6. Test the live version.
This creates a simple update workflow.
# 20. Troubleshooting Common Problems
### Build Failed
Check:
* Node.js version
* Dependencies
* Build command
* Package configuration
* Deployment logs
### Blank Page
Check:
* Output directory
* Routing configuration
* Build output
* Browser console
### API Not Working
Check:
* API URL
* Environment variables
* CORS configuration
* Authentication settings
### Domain Not Working
Check:
* DNS records
* Nameservers
* Domain spelling
* DNS propagation
### SSL Not Active
Make sure the domain is correctly connected and the SSL setup has completed.
# 21. Important Bubble Limitation
Before choosing this workflow, remember that Bubble applications are not always equivalent to traditional React or static frontend projects.
If your application relies heavily on Bubble's proprietary runtime, database, workflows, plugins, or backend, simply hosting exported frontend files elsewhere may not reproduce the complete application.
In that situation, use Hostwares for the parts of the project that are actually exportable and independently deployable, while keeping the required Bubble services connected.
# 22. Simple A-Z Workflow
The complete workflow is:
```text
Bubble AI
↓
Build Application
↓
Review Frontend
↓
Export/Prepare Available Code
↓
Test Project
↓
Create Hostwares Project
↓
Connect Repository/Upload Files
↓
Configure Build
↓
Add Environment Variables
↓
Deploy
↓
Test Live App
↓
Connect Domain
↓
Enable SSL
↓
Monitor & Update
23. Final Checklist
Before launching, confirm:
- Bubble AI application is ready
- Exportable frontend code is available
- Project builds successfully
- Hostwares project is created
- Repository/files are connected
- Build settings are correct
- Environment variables are configured
- Deployment succeeds
- Live URL works
- Custom domain is connected
- SSL is active
- APIs and integrations work
- Mobile layout is tested
Final Thoughts
Bubble AI can help you build application experiences faster, while Hostwares can provide a deployment environment for the frontend code that is actually exportable and suitable for independent hosting. The key is to first determine what part of your Bubble project can run outside Bubble. Once the frontend is deployable independently, the Hostwares workflow becomes straightforward: prepare the code, configure the project, deploy it, connect your domain, enable SSL, and manage future updates from the hosting dashboard.