Introduction
Elementor is one of the most popular page builders for WordPress, and for good reason. It allows you to create visually stunning pages using a simple drag-and-drop interface, without writing a single line of code. Whether you are building a landing page, a portfolio, a blog layout, or a full business website, Elementor gives you the flexibility and control you need.
In this post, you will learn what Elementor is, how it works, and how you can use it step by step to design professional pages that look great on all devices.
What Is Elementor?
Elementor is a visual page builder plugin for WordPress. Instead of working only with the default block editor, Elementor gives you a live, front-end editing experience. You see your changes in real time as you drag and drop widgets, adjust spacing, and change typography.
Key advantages of Elementor include:
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Drag-and-drop interface
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Live preview of your changes
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Large collection of widgets (headings, images, buttons, forms, etc.)
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Template library with ready-made pages and sections
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Responsive controls for mobile and tablet
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Integration with popular themes and plugins
There is a free version with plenty of features and a Pro version with advanced widgets, theme builder, popup builder, and more.
Installing and Activating Elementor
To get started, you only need a working WordPress site.
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In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
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Search for “Elementor”.
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Click Install Now and then Activate.
Once activated, Elementor can be used on pages and posts. You will see a button labeled “Edit with Elementor” whenever you edit a page.
Understanding the Elementor Interface
When you click “Edit with Elementor”, you are taken to the Elementor editor. The screen is divided into two main parts:
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Left panel – This is where you find widgets and controls for layout, style, and advanced settings.
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Right canvas – This is the live preview of your page, where you drag and drop widgets and see changes instantly.
Every design in Elementor is built using three basic levels:
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Sections – The largest containers; they span the full width of your page.
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Columns – Inside sections, you can create multiple columns to arrange content.
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Widgets – Actual content elements, such as headings, text, images, buttons, icons, forms, etc.
By combining sections, columns, and widgets, you can create almost any layout you can imagine.
Creating Your First Page with Elementor
Here is a simple workflow to create a modern landing page:
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Go to Pages → Add New in WordPress.
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Give your page a title (for example, “Home”).
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Click “Edit with Elementor”.
Inside the Elementor editor:
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Click the “+” icon to add a new section.
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Choose a structure (one column, two columns, three columns, etc.).
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Drag a Heading widget into the column and write your main title.
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Drag a Text Editor widget for supporting text.
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Add a Button widget with a clear call to action (for example, “Shop Now” or “Get Started”).
You can then customize the fonts, colors, and spacing from the left panel under Style and Advanced tabs.
Using Templates and Blocks
One of the biggest time-savers in Elementor is the template library.
You can choose from:
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Full page templates (entire ready-made designs)
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Blocks (pre-designed sections like hero areas, testimonials, pricing tables, footers, etc.)
To use a template:
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Click the folder icon in the canvas area.
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Browse the library and search for a layout you like.
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Insert the template and customize the text, images, and colors to match your brand.
Templates are a great way to maintain design consistency across multiple pages.
Styling with Global Settings
Elementor allows you to define global styles so your design is consistent:
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Global colors
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Global typography (fonts for headings and body text)
Set these under Site Settings in the Elementor editor. Once your global styles are configured, widgets will automatically use them unless you override the settings for a specific element.
This approach saves time and makes it easier to update your design later.
Responsive Design with Elementor
Modern websites must look good on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Elementor includes responsive controls to help you do this easily.
For many settings (font size, padding, margin, alignment), you will see device icons (desktop, tablet, mobile). You can:
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Adjust font sizes differently for mobile
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Change column width for smaller screens
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Hide certain sections on mobile or desktop if needed
Use the responsive preview options at the bottom of the Elementor panel to switch between views and fine-tune your design.
Working with Elementor Pro (Optional)
The free version is powerful, but Elementor Pro unlocks advanced features, including:
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Theme Builder – Design your header, footer, blog archive, single post layout, and WooCommerce product pages.
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Popup Builder – Create popups for email signups, announcements, and special offers.
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Advanced widgets – Forms, sliders, price tables, call-to-action blocks, and more.
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Dynamic content – Use data from custom fields and integrate with other plugins.
If you are building client sites or managing a professional business website, these Pro features can greatly speed up your workflow and give you more control over your entire site structure, not just individual pages.
Best Practices for Using Elementor
To get the most out of Elementor, keep these best practices in mind:
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Use a compatible theme
Choose a lightweight, Elementor-friendly theme that offers full-width templates and minimal styling conflicts. -
Avoid unnecessary widgets and sections
Keep your design clean and focused. Too many effects and elements can slow down your site and confuse visitors. -
Optimize images
Compress images before uploading to improve performance. -
Reuse templates and global sections
Save frequently used sections and reuse them across pages to keep your design consistent and save time. -
Test on multiple devices and browsers
Always check your pages on mobile, tablet, and different browsers to ensure everything looks and works correctly.
Conclusion
Elementor makes it possible for anyone—designer, developer, or complete beginner—to build beautiful, professional websites on WordPress without touching code. With its drag-and-drop editor, rich widget library, templates, and responsive controls, you can design landing pages, business sites, portfolios, and online stores that look polished and modern.
Start by learning the basics of sections, columns, and widgets, then explore templates, global styles, and responsive settings. As you grow more comfortable, you can go further with Elementor Pro and take full control of your entire theme design.