Nicolas Delalande, with a 5-star rating on Malt, this Bubble developer has never let a customer down!
His background
At the heart of the Nocode revolution, Nicolas Delalande, a young Bubble developer, reveals his singular career path, shaped by a passion for computing and a relentless quest for innovation.
With a Master's degree in computer science, Nicolas began his career in the classic way, between studies and his first professional experiences.
His first steps in the world of code led him to website maintenance assignments with an agency, SMILE Montpellier, specializing in open-source solutions integration services, IT design and development.
At the time, Nicolas was not yet familiar with Nocode; his preferred tools were still Java and Javascript. However, after only six months with the company, Nicolas gradually felt that the code he described as "classic" was not for him.
The real revelation came at the end of 2020, when Nicolas discovered Bubble! "Thanks to this tool I saw that it was possible to develop web applications without having to confront what I didn't like about traditional code!" Bubble thus paved the way for a new approach to development for the Maker. It was a time when he had to take a long, hard look at his life. Even though his job guaranteed him a certain stability, the call of Nocode was too strong. The decision to quit his job and go freelance was a crucial turning point in his career!
"Right after I resigned, I tried to set up my own business as astudent-entrepreneur by applying for D2E, but it didn't work out. I then turned to freelancing at the beginning of 2020, looking for my first assignments that got my Nocode career off the ground!"
With a solid academic background and experience accumulated through internships and his first job, Nicolas quickly found his way into the world of Nocode, specializing in the Bubble.io platform. An expertise he has been putting to work for his customers for over four years, racking up an impressive total of 65 assignments!
With 11 long-term customers, more than 20 customers on short projects, and a 5-star rating on Malt, Nicolas Delalande is much more than a technical expert!
A proponent of agile methods, Nicolas insists on the importance of communication and listening in his approach. His deep understanding of technical issues gives him a unique perspective, making him a valuable asset to the start-ups he supports!
Many people can't find the right balance between work and passion. However, thanks to Nocode, Nicolas can now link the two! "For me, Nocode isn't just a source of income. I really love it, and I haven't grown tired of it. I could spend my whole day on Bubble, you could say it's my passion!"
Early missions and pricing
Nicolas Delalande's dramatic entry into the Nocode ecosystem was marked by his first assignments, an experience that laid the foundations for his successful career as a Bubble developer.
In his quest for challenging projects, Nicolas explored several freelancing sites, but it was on Malt that things clicked. "I registered on several platforms, but only Malt worked well for me. I found all my first assignments via this platform!"
At the time, the world of Nocode was still relatively unknown, with only three specialized Bubble profiles, offering Nicolas a playground with almost no competition. "It was so cool, there were only three Bubble Makers profiles, it made it easy for me to stand out. It was the start of an exciting adventure!"
Thanks to his expertise and customer feedback, he was even named Super Malter 3, an honorary title awarded based on assignments and financial success via the Malt platform!
Nicolas also exploited the opportunities offered by social networks, particularly LinkedIn, to broaden his field of action. Word-of-mouth, amplified by the satisfaction of his former customers, has also contributed to his burgeoning success.
When it comes to pricing his services, Nicolas shares some practical advice. After observing rates on platforms such as Malt, he decided to set his prices in comparison with other developers, gradually adjusting his value over time. He points out that when he started out, his pricing was €300 per day, his TJM has now evolved to €400, an adjustment that reflects the growing confidence in his expertise!
How he uses it every day
"I use Nocode mainly for my assignments. It's true that I sometimes have ideas for personal projects, but I don't particularly take the time to delve into them, I prefer to prioritize my customers' projects!"
When it comes to using AI in his projects, Nicolas takes a pragmatic approach. "I don't use AI too much at the moment. I'm waiting for this technology to evolve further and for me to really need it to carry out my projects. At the moment, it hasn't yet found its place in my day-to-day missions."
What he's proud of
For Nicolas Delalande, the greatest source of pride lies in the freedom and autonomy offered by Nocode, enabling him to carry out projects with total independence. It's this ability to be the master builder of his projects that is an immeasurable source of satisfaction.
"Thanks to Nocode, I can carry out projects completely independently. It aligns perfectly with the freelance lifestyle. I've been working when I want and where I want for four years now, and it's really great!"
A remarkable illustration of this personal success is the Refty project, a site designed for recruiters to collect all candidate references. Over time, Refty has evolved from a simple tool to a true visual report, redefining the standards of candidate evaluation. "I've redesigned it three times, added numerous features, and today it's one of my greatest successes!"
Among his memorable assignments was a project with Alegria.group, Invisible Pearls, where he was project manager for the creation of a platform dedicated to orthodontists. Working with two students from theAlegria.academy, this was a particularly rewarding experience for Nicolas.
Proud of his background, professional autonomy and transformative projects, he continues to push the boundaries of what Nocode can achieve. His success reflects not only his exceptional technical skills, but also his ability to embrace innovation and create solutions that transcend his customers' expectations!
Cheat Codes
Nicolas recommends learning as much as possible about the plugins available on Bubble. He points to the ingenuity of many developers who have already created a multitude of features. It's a way of getting around challenges without having to recreate portions of code, thus simplifying the development process.
He also emphasizes the importance of understanding APIs, highlighting the subtle boundary between traditional code and Nocode. According to him, this in-depth understanding not only enables us to explore the possibilities offered by Bubble, but also to grasp the inherent limitations of this platform.
His advice for those who want to get started
To really get to grips with Nocode, Nicolas recommends taking an online training course like the one atAlegria.academy. It can be the ideal starting point for understanding the basics and functionalities of Nocode tools!
Once the training is complete, Nicolas stresses the importance of practice. Finding concrete ways to implement what has been learned helps to anchor the knowledge more deeply. Nicolas suggests looking for your first challenging client as soon as you feel up to it. Working on real projects, even if it means extra challenges, offers invaluable experience and intense motivation, especially when you're paid for your work!
Nicolas points out that his most rewarding experience has been learning new skills, such as responsive design, on the job. So, the last piece of advice he adds is to stay curious!
What next?
For Nicolas Delalande, the future is taking shape with the same tinge of freedom that characterizes his freelance lifestyle. "Staying freelance is really what I like. It's total freedom in the way I structure my days and choose my projects. It's a lifestyle that suits me perfectly."
Nocode remains at the heart of his professional aspirations, with a specialization that extends into a fascinating field: blockchain. Nicolas expresses a particular interest in Nocode's cryptocurrency tools, seeing an opportunity to merge his passion for development with the innovative world of blockchain.
"Money is time," he declares wisely. For Nicolas, money is not just financial compensation, but a resource that allows him to live a richer, more fulfilling life, filled with projects and opportunities that fuel his passion.
So Nicolas Delalande's future looks set to be a continuation of his singular career path, where freedom, a passion for Nocode, and the exploration of new technological frontiers will continue to define his path.
We wish him all the best for the rest of his career!
Want to find out more about Nicolas' work? Here are some of his other projects:
Nocode development
Graphic redesign
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