# How to send newsletters from a Bubble app

- Tool: Bubble
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time required: 25-30 min
- Compatibility: All Bubble plans
- Last updated: March 2026

## TL;DR

Build a newsletter system in your Bubble app with subscriber management, email templates, scheduled sending via backend workflows, and SendGrid integration. This tutorial covers the full pipeline from collecting subscribers to composing rich emails, scheduling delivery, and tracking open rates.

## Overview: Sending Newsletters from a Bubble App

Instead of using a separate email platform, you can build the entire newsletter system inside Bubble. This tutorial covers subscriber signup, email composition with dynamic data, scheduled bulk sending through backend workflows, and delivery tracking via SendGrid.

## Before you start

- A Bubble account with an app ready to edit
- A SendGrid account (free tier: 100 emails/day)
- The API Connector plugin installed
- Basic understanding of backend workflows

## Step-by-step guide

### 1. Create the subscriber and newsletter data model

Go to the Data tab and create Subscriber (email, name, subscribed_date, is_active yes/no default yes, unsubscribe_token text) and Newsletter (subject, body, sent_date, status Option Set: Draft/Scheduled/Sent, open_count number).

**Expected result:** Data types for managing subscribers and newsletter campaigns.

### 2. Build the subscription form

On your landing page, add an email Input and Subscribe button. Create a workflow that validates the email, checks for existing subscribers, creates a new Subscriber with a random unsubscribe_token, and shows a confirmation message.

**Expected result:** Visitors can subscribe and are saved to the database.

### 3. Set up SendGrid via API Connector

In the API Connector, add SendGrid with Private key in header authentication (Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY). Add a Send Email call: POST to https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send with JSON body containing personalizations, from, subject, and content fields.

```
{
  "personalizations": [{"to": [{"email": "<recipient>"}]}],
  "from": {"email": "newsletter@yourapp.com"},
  "subject": "<subject>",
  "content": [{"type": "text/html", "value": "<html_body>"}]
}
```

**Expected result:** SendGrid is configured to send emails from your Bubble app.

### 4. Create the newsletter composer

Build an admin page with inputs for subject and body (or a rich text editor plugin), a Preview button, Save Draft button, and Schedule Send button with a date picker. Workflows create or update Newsletter records accordingly.

**Expected result:** Admins can compose, preview, save drafts, and schedule newsletters.

### 5. Build the bulk send backend workflow

Create a backend workflow send_newsletter (parameter: newsletter). Search active Subscribers, then use Schedule API Workflow on a list with 0.1s interval to send individual emails via SendGrid. Update newsletter status to Sent after completion.

> Pro tip: Use Schedule API Workflow on a list with a small interval between sends to avoid rate limiting.

**Expected result:** Newsletters are sent to all active subscribers with proper rate limiting.

### 6. Add unsubscribe functionality

Create an unsubscribe page that reads a token from the URL, finds the matching Subscriber, sets is_active to no, and shows confirmation. Include the unsubscribe link in every newsletter footer.

**Expected result:** Subscribers can unsubscribe with one click from any email.

## Complete code example

File: `Workflow summary`

```text
NEWSLETTER SYSTEM — WORKFLOW SUMMARY
======================================

DATA MODEL
  Subscriber: email, name, subscribed_date, is_active, unsubscribe_token
  Newsletter: subject, body, sent_date, status (Draft/Scheduled/Sent)

SUBSCRIPTION
  Validate email → Check existing → Create Subscriber

SENDGRID API
  POST https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send
  Auth: Bearer token (Private)

BACKEND: send_newsletter
  Step 1: Search active Subscribers
  Step 2: Schedule send_single_email on a list (0.1s interval)
  Step 3: Update newsletter status = Sent

BACKEND: send_single_email
  Step 1: SendGrid API call with subscriber email + newsletter content
  Step 2: Append unsubscribe link to email footer

UNSUBSCRIBE PAGE
  Read token → Search Subscriber → Set is_active = no
```

## Common mistakes

- **Sending all emails simultaneously without intervals** — Exceeds SendGrid rate limits causing delivery failures. Fix: Use 0.1-0.5 second intervals between individual sends.
- **Not including an unsubscribe link** — Anti-spam laws require unsubscribe options. Violations cause fines and sending blacklists. Fix: Always include an unsubscribe link with a unique token in every email.
- **Using Bubble's built-in email for bulk sends** — Limited deliverability, no tracking, and plan-based limits. Fix: Use SendGrid or Mailgun via API Connector for professional delivery.

## Best practices

- Use SendGrid or similar for reliable email delivery
- Include unsubscribe links in every email as required by law
- Send test emails before sending to the full list
- Schedule during business hours for higher open rates
- Monitor bounce rates and remove invalid emails
- Save as Draft before scheduling to allow edits

## Frequently asked questions

### How many emails can SendGrid's free plan send?

100 emails per day. Paid plans start at $19.95/month for 50,000 emails.

### Can I use Mailchimp instead?

Yes, via API Connector. SendGrid is generally more cost-effective for custom app email.

### How do I track open rates?

Enable open tracking in SendGrid settings. It uses a tracking pixel. Fetch stats via their API.

### Do I need double opt-in?

GDPR requires explicit consent. Double opt-in (confirmation email) provides the best compliance.

### Can RapidDev help build an email marketing system?

Yes. RapidDev can build full email marketing with templates, segmentation, A/B testing, and analytics.

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Source: https://www.rapidevelopers.com/bubble-tutorial/send-newsletters-from-bubble-app
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