Creating a professional website has become accessible and easy thanks to Elementor. This powerful WordPress page builder has revolutionized the way of designing and building websites, offering intuitive and versatile tools even for those without advanced technical skills. Here you will find a complete path through the entire process of creating a website with Elementor, from the basics of installation to advanced customizations and SEO optimization.
What is Elementor?
Elementor is a WordPress plugin that lets you build web pages using a drag-and-drop interface. With Elementor, you can create complex layouts and add advanced features without having to write a single line of code.
Its intuitive interface allows you to see changes in real-time, making the design process much more fluid and interactive.
Elementor offers two versions: a free one and a Pro one. The free version includes a wide range of basic tools and features that are enough to create professional-looking web pages.
The Pro version, on the other hand, unlocks additional widgets, templates and advanced tools, such as the theme builder and pop-up builder, which allow you to have complete control over the design and functionality of your site.
One of the main advantages of Elementor is its compatibility with almost all WordPress themes. This means that you can integrate Elementor into your existing site without having to change your theme.
Additionally, Elementor is constantly updated and supported by a large community of developers and designers, who offer additional plugins and custom templates to further extend the page builder’s functionality.
Elementor Installation
Via Elementor.com :
- Go to elementor.com and click “Get Started”.
- Select the plan you prefer (you can start with the free version).
- Enter your website domain and follow the instructions to install the plugin.
Via the WordPress dashboard :
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to “Plugins > Add New”.
- Search for “Elementor” in the search bar.
- Click on “Install” and then on “Activate”
Elementor Setup
After installation, you will find a new menu item called “Elementor” in your WordPress dashboard. From here you can access the basic settings and start creating your pages.
Create your first page with Elementor.
Create a new page :
- Go to “Pages > Add New” and click “Edit with Elementor”.
Use Elementor templates :
- You can start from scratch or use one of the many pre-designed templates available. Click on “Add Template” and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Add and edit sections :
- Elementor uses three main elements: sections, columns and widgets. Sections are the main containers, inside which you can add columns and widgets.
Customizing pages
Elementor offers a wide range of customization options for every element on your page:
- Text and Images: Click on the text or image widget to edit its content and style.
- Layout: You can adjust the size of columns by dragging their borders, or setting specific widths.
- Advanced Styles: Elementor offers advanced styling options, such as hover effects, animations, shadows, and rounded edges.
Creating menus and headers
To create custom navigation menus:
- Add a menu widget :
- Go to “Elementor > Template > Header” and create a new header.
- Drag the menu widget to the desired position and customize it by choosing from various layout, alignment and animation options.
Add advanced features
Elementor Pro offers advanced features like pop-ups, contact forms, and WooCommerce integrations:
- Pop-up Builder: Create custom pop-ups for newsletters, special offers and more.
- WooCommerce Builder: Customize your product pages, cart, and checkout if you run an online store.
Site Publication
Once you’ve completed your changes, it’s time to publish your site:
- Save Changes: Click “Save Draft” to save your work without publishing it yet.
- Preview: Use the preview option to see how your site will look once published.
- Publish: When you’re ready, click “Publish” to make your site visible to the public.
SEO Optimization with Elementor
Once your site is live, it is important to optimize it for search engines:
- On-Page SEO: Make sure each page has a unique title and meta description. Use relevant keywords in content and titles.
- Performance: Elementor allows you to optimize images and use caching plugins to improve site speed.
- Internal Links: Create a good internal link structure to facilitate navigation and help search engines understand the hierarchy of the site.
Elementor vs Divi: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to WordPress page builders, Elementor and Divi are among the most frequently mentioned names. Both offer powerful design tools and many Custom WordPress Development Services in Dubai uses it, but there are some key differences:
- User Interface: Elementor uses a very intuitive drag-and-drop interface with a sidebar where all the widgets are located. Divi, on the other hand, offers an in-line visual editor that allows you to make changes directly on the front end of the page.
- Pricing: Elementor offers a free version with many useful features, while Divi is only available for a fee. Both offer paid plans with advanced features, but Divi also includes unlimited access to all Elegant Themes.
- Speed and Performance: Elementor is known for its speed and lightweight nature, while Divi can be heavier and require additional optimizations to achieve optimal performance.
- Widgets and Modules: Both builders offer a wide range of widgets and modules, but Elementor has the edge in terms of the number and variety of elements available in the free version.
- Community and Support: Elementor has a large community of users and developers, as well as very responsive customer support. Divi, due to its long presence on the market, also has a large community and offers support through Elegant Themes.
Elementor Pro: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth upgrading to the Pro version of Elementor, here are some considerations:
- Advanced Widgets: Elementor Pro offers a wide range of additional widgets, such as sliders, advanced contact forms, pricing tables, and more. These widgets can help you create more interactive and functional pages.
- Themes and Templates: With Elementor Pro, you will have access to an extensive library of premium templates and professional themes. This will allow you to start with a pre-built design and customize it to your needs.
- Popup Builder: One of the most popular features of Elementor Pro is the pop-up builder, which allows you to create custom pop-ups to capture the attention of visitors and increase conversions.
- Support and Updates: Elementor Pro users receive priority support and regular updates, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and bug fixes.
Examples of websites created with Elementor
To inspire you and show you the potential of Elementor, here are some examples of websites created with this powerful page builder:
- Personal Blogs: Elementor is perfect for creating personal blogs with unique and customized layouts. You can use Elementor widgets to add image galleries, comment sections, and more.
- Creative Portfolios: If you are a designer, photographer or artist, Elementor allows you to create an eye-catching online portfolio to showcase your work. You can add animation and transition effects to make the site more dynamic.
- eCommerce Sites: With WooCommerce integration, Elementor is ideal for building online stores. You can customize product pages, carts, and checkout to improve your customers’ shopping experience.
- Business Websites: Elementor is used by many businesses to create professional websites that reflect their brand identity. You can use Elementor’s business templates to get started quickly and customize each section to your needs.
Elementor Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of Elementor:
- Use Global Widgets: Global Widgets allow you to create reusable widgets that you can use on multiple pages of your site. Any changes you make to a Global Widget will automatically apply to all instances of the widget.
- Take advantage of pre-built layouts: Elementor offers a variety of pre-built layouts for different sections of your site. Use them as a starting point to save time and customize them to your needs.
- Optimize Images: To ensure your site is fast and performs well, make sure you optimize your images using image compression tools like TinyPNG or Smush.
- Use revisions: Elementor keeps track of all the changes made to your pages. You can easily revert to a previous version of your page using the revision feature, which is useful in case of mistakes or unwanted changes.
Conclusions
Elementor is a powerful tool that allows you to create professional websites easily and intuitively. Whether you are building a blog, a portfolio, or an online store, Elementor has all the features you need to make your site unique and functional.
