In the ever-evolving world of website design, WordPress users are always on the lookout for tools to make their sites stand out. Enter Elementor, a game-changing WordPress plugin that’s revolutionizing the way websites are built. This powerful WordPress website builder has gained immense popularity for its user-friendly interface and ability to create stunning, responsive designs without any coding knowledge.

What is Elementor in WordPress, and why has it become a go-to solution for many? This article will explore the key features of this versatile tool, including its mobile-friendly capabilities and the benefits of both Elementor Free and premium versions. We’ll also guide you through the process of installing Elementor in WordPress, helping you get started on your journey to create visually appealing and functional websites with ease.

What is Elementor and How Does it Work?

Elementor is a powerful WordPress plugin that has revolutionized website creation. It’s a visual page builder that empowers users to create stunning, professional websites without any coding knowledge. With over 16 million websites worldwide powered by Elementor, it has become the go-to solution for many WordPress users.

Definition and core functionality

At its core, Elementor is a drag-and-drop website builder that extends WordPress functionality. It allows users to design and customize their websites visually, providing full control over layout and style. This plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress, enabling users to create custom designs that go beyond the limitations of traditional themes.

Elementor’s core functionality revolves around its intuitive interface and comprehensive set of features. It offers a wide range of pre-made widgets and elements that users can easily incorporate into their designs. These building blocks form the foundation of Elementor’s functionality, allowing for endless customization possibilities.

Visual drag-and-drop interface

One of Elementor’s standout features is its visual drag-and-drop interface. This intuitive system allows users to build and customize every part of their website without writing a single line of code. The process is as simple as selecting elements from the sidebar panel and dragging them onto the desired location on the page.

The drag-and-drop functionality extends to various aspects of website design:

1. Sections and columns: Users can add single sections, pairs of sections, or three sections at a time, providing flexibility in layout structure.
2. Widgets and elements: A vast array of widgets, including text, images, buttons, and sliders, can be easily added to pages.
3. Customization: Each element can be customized directly on the page, allowing for adjustments to text, alignment, color, typography, and padding.

This visual approach to website building makes it accessible to users of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced designers.

Real-time editing capabilities

Elementor’s real-time editing feature is a game-changer in website design. It allows users to see changes instantly as they make them, eliminating the need for constant previewing or refreshing. This live editing interface provides a seamless experience with immediate visual feedback.

Key aspects of Elementor’s real-time editing include:

1. Frontend editing: Users can design and customize their website directly on the front end, seeing exactly how visitors will view the site.
2. Instant updates: Any changes made to elements, such as text edits, color adjustments, or layout modifications, are reflected in real time.
3. Responsive design: Elementor offers a responsive mode, allowing users to optimize their designs for different devices like desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

This real-time editing capability significantly streamlines the design process, enabling users to quickly iterate and refine their websites based on immediate feedback.

Elementor’s functionality extends beyond these core features. It includes a Design System for maintaining consistency across websites, pixel-perfect design tools for advanced customization, and responsive design capabilities for optimal viewing on all devices. With over 90 widgets and 300+ templates available, users can create virtually any type of website they can imagine.

In essence, Elementor works by providing a user-friendly, visual approach to website building within the WordPress ecosystem. It combines the power of drag-and-drop functionality with real-time editing capabilities, offering users unprecedented control over their website’s design and functionality. This approach has made Elementor a favorite among WordPress users, from beginners to professional web designers, revolutionizing the way websites are built and customized.

Key Features of Elementor

Elementor has become a popular choice for WordPress users due to its robust features and user-friendly interface. This section explores the key features that make Elementor stand out among website builders.

Free vs. Pro version comparison

Elementor offers both free and premium versions, each with its own set of features. The free version, known as Elementor Core, provides users with essential tools to get started, including the visual drag-and-drop builder. However, for those seeking more advanced functionality, Elementor Pro complements the free version with additional features to create fully functional, engaging websites.

Here’s a comparison of some key features between the free and pro versions:

Feature	Elementor Free	Elementor Pro
Drag & Drop Editor	✅	✅
Widgets	30	90+
Theme Builder	❌	✅
Premium Support	❌	✅
Mobile Editing	✅	✅
300+ Pro Templates & Blocks	❌	✅
Custom Fonts & Adobe TypeKit	❌	✅
Popup Builder	❌	✅

Upgrading to Elementor Pro significantly expands the available widget library and unlocks advanced features like the Theme Builder, which allows users to customize every part of their website, including headers, footers, and post templates.

Widget library and templates

One of Elementor’s standout features is its extensive widget library and template collection. The free version offers 30 basic widgets, while Elementor Pro boasts over 90 widgets, including specialized professional widgets for various website types.

Some notable widgets in the Pro version include:

1. Portfolio widget for showcasing work
2. Review and Testimonial carousels for boosting conversion
3. Posts widgets for displaying blog content
4. Countdown widgets for creating urgency
5. Stripe and PayPal buttons for payment collection

Elementor also provides an extensive template library with hundreds of pre-designed page layouts and blocks. While the free version has access to some templates, Elementor Pro users can utilize the entire library, which includes over 300 premium templates and blocks. These templates serve as excellent starting points for creating professional-looking pages quickly.

Responsive design tools

In today’s mobile-first world, responsive design is crucial. Elementor excels in this area by offering a range of tools to ensure websites look great on all devices.

Key responsive design features include:

1. Mobile editing mode: Users can switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile views to fine-tune designs for each device.
2. Responsive font sizing: Adjust text size specifically for mobile devices to maintain readability.
3. Reverse columns: Rearrange column order on mobile devices for optimal content flow.
4. Responsive column width: Easily adjust column widths for different screen sizes.
5. Padding and margin control: Fine-tune spacing for mobile layouts.
6. Hide and show elements: Selectively display or hide widgets based on device type.

These tools empower users to create truly responsive websites without the need for complex coding. By following simple steps and utilizing these features, designers can ensure their Elementor-built sites are 100% mobile responsive.

Elementor’s combination of a powerful free version, extensive Pro features, a rich widget library, and robust, responsive design tools makes it a versatile and popular choice for WordPress users of all skill levels. Whether creating a simple blog or a complex e-commerce site, Elementor provides the tools needed to build visually appealing and functional websites.

Installing and Setting Up Elementor

Step-by-step installation guide

Installing Elementor in WordPress is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in two ways. The first method involves downloading the plugin directly from the Elementor website, while the second utilizes the WordPress plugin repository.

Method 1: Direct download from the Elementor website

1. Visit elementor.com and click on the “Free Download” button.
2. A popup will appear asking for your email. You can provide it or click “No thanks, I just want to download Elementor” to start the download immediately.
3. Log in to your WordPress admin area.
4. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
5. Click on the “Upload Plugin” button.
6. Choose the Elementor zip file you downloaded and click “Install Now.”
7. Once installation is complete, click “Activate Plugin.”

Method 2: Installing from the WordPress plugin repository

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. In the search field, type “Elementor.”
4. Locate “Elementor Website Builder” in the results.
5. Click “Install Now.”
6. After installation, click “Activate.”

Initial configuration

Once Elementor is installed and activated, you’ll need to perform some initial setup to start building your website. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Create a new page or post in WordPress.
2. Click on the “Edit with Elementor” button to enter the Elementor editor.

The Elementor editor consists of three main building blocks: Sections, Columns, and Widgets. Sections are the largest building blocks, within which you can add groups of columns. Widgets are housed within columns.

To begin customizing your page:

1. Drag and drop widgets from the left sidebar onto your page.
2. Use the blue handle to control sections, columns, and widgets.
3. Right-click the handle to edit the blocks.

Compatibility requirements

To ensure Elementor functions optimally on your WordPress site, it’s essential to meet certain compatibility requirements:

1. WordPress version: Elementor works best with WordPress version 6.0 or greater.
2. PHP version: While Elementor may work with PHP 7.0+, it’s recommended to use more recent versions for security and performance reasons.
3. Database: MySQL version 5.6 or greater or MariaDB version 10.0 or greater.
4. Memory limit: A WP Memory limit of 256 MB is required for Elementor and Elementor Pro. However, 512 MB is recommended, and 768 MB provides the best performance.
5. Browser compatibility:
   • Desktop: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Firefox (version 100. x and above)
   • Mobile: iOS Safari 14 and above for frontend viewing

It’s important to note that while you can view Elementor-built pages on mobile devices, editing is currently only possible on desktop computers.

Additional considerations:

• If your website is hosted by WP Engine, you might need to add SSL to avoid saving issues.
• For SiteGround or GoDaddy users, ensure they modify the SubstituteMaxLineLength of your server.
• Content-Security-Policy should be set to ‘frame-ancestors ‘self” to avoid editing issues.
• It’s preferable to have the PHP Zlib extension enabled on your server.

By following these installation steps and ensuring your system meets the compatibility requirements, you’ll be well-prepared to harness the power of Elementor for creating stunning, responsive WordPress websites.

Conclusion

Elementor has revolutionized website creation for WordPress users, offering a user-friendly approach to design without the need for coding skills. Its visual drag-and-drop interface, coupled with real-time editing capabilities, empowers users to craft stunning, responsive websites with ease. The plugin’s extensive widget library and template collection provide a solid foundation for creativity, while its responsive design tools ensure optimal viewing across all devices.

Whether you opt for the free version or upgrade to Elementor Pro, this powerful tool opens up a world of possibilities for website design. By following the simple installation process and meeting the compatibility requirements, users can quickly harness Elementor’s features to bring their vision to life. As web design continues to evolve, Elementor stands as a testament to the power of intuitive, accessible tools in shaping the digital landscape.