Introduction: Why Elementor?
Let’s start with the obvious: Elementor (and its beefed-up sibling, Elementor Pro) is a game-changer for anyone who’s ever stared at a blank WordPress page and thought, Now what?
As one of the most user-friendly drag-and-drop website builders out there, Elementor lets you create professional-looking websites without needing to code. Whether you’re customising a simple contact page or designing a full-blown e-commerce store, Elementor makes the process painless, flexible, and even a little fun.
And if you’re one of our customers with a website built by us, chances are you’re already familiar with Elementor—it’s what we use to make your site as fabulous as it is. But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or want to level up your Elementor skills, this guide is for you! (And if you need extra training, you know where to find us. 😉)
What is Elementor (and Why Should You Care)?
Elementor is a page builder plugin for WordPress. Think of it as your design toolkit:
- Drag-and-drop editor for real-time changes.
- Pre-designed templates to save time.
- Powerful features like animations, custom forms, and responsive editing.
Elementor Pro, on the other hand, unlocks the next level:
- Full website customisation, including headers and footers.
- Advanced forms and integrations.
- WooCommerce features for online shops.
- Fancy widgets like price tables, countdown timers, and more.
Getting Started with Elementor: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re diving into Elementor for the first time, here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Install and Activate Elementor
If you already have a WordPress site, installing Elementor is as easy as:
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for “Elementor.”
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
If you’re ready to supercharge your site, upgrade to Elementor Pro via their website. Once purchased, you’ll get a license key to unlock all the fancy features.
Step 2: Choose a Page to Edit
Head to Pages > All Pages, select the page you want to edit, and click “Edit with Elementor.” The drag-and-drop editor will pop up, and you’re ready to go.
Step 3: Understand the Interface
Here’s what you’ll see:
- Widgets Panel (on the left): This is where all your design elements live—text boxes, images, buttons, and more.
- Live Preview (in the middle): See your changes in real-time as you drag, drop, and tweak.
- Settings Panel (bottom-left corner): Adjust global settings, preview your page on different devices, or publish your work.
Elementor Pro Features You’ll Love
If you’ve taken the plunge with Elementor Pro, here are some standout features to explore:
1. Theme Builder
Elementor Pro lets you edit your entire site, not just individual pages. Design custom headers, footers, and blog templates with ease.
Example: Want a sticky header that follows users as they scroll? Elementor Pro has you covered.
2. Advanced Forms
Pro users can create fully custom forms for things like:
- Contact pages.
- Newsletter signups.
- Surveys or quizzes.
While Elementor Forms is a fantastic tool for basic form-building, we recommend FluentForms Pro for most businesses, and here’s why: FluentForms Pro is built specifically to handle more complex and dynamic forms with ease.
It offers better flexibility for advanced features like conditional logic, multi-step forms, and integrations with CRMs, email marketing platforms, and automation tools. It’s also faster, more lightweight, and doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your website, which helps with loading times—a win for both SEO and user experience.
So, while Elementor Forms is great for simple tasks, FluentForms Pro takes the crown for versatility, scalability, and overall performance. If you’re looking to level up your forms, FluentForms Pro is the way to go!
And yes, you can integrate these forms with email marketing tools or automation tools like Zapier and Make!
3. WooCommerce Integration
Running an online shop? Elementor Pro lets you customise every aspect of your store, from product pages to checkout forms.
Example: Add product carousels, dynamic pricing tables, and custom add-to-cart buttons to make your store stand out.
4. Motion Effects and Animations
Bring your website to life with animations, hover effects, and scrolling effects. Subtle movement can make your site feel more dynamic and engaging.
Top Elementor Widgets for Small Business Websites
Here are some widgets you’ll find yourself using again and again:
- Heading Widget: Perfect for eye-catching titles.
- Image Widget: Add and customise images effortlessly.
- Button Widget: Encourage visitors to take action with bold, clickable buttons.
- Testimonials Widget: Showcase happy customer reviews.
- Form Widget (Pro): Create forms that match your brand.
- Call to Action Widget (Pro): Combine text, images, and buttons to drive conversions.
Pro Tips for Using Elementor Like a Boss
1. Save Time with Templates
Elementor comes with pre-designed templates for pages like About, Services, and Contact. Load a template, tweak it to fit your brand, and you’re done!
You can also create your own templates to reuse across multiple pages.
2. Make It Mobile-Friendly
Elementor lets you preview your design on desktop, tablet, and mobile views. Always check how your site looks on different devices to ensure a seamless experience for all users.
3. Experiment with Global Colours and Fonts
Set your brand colours and fonts globally so they’re consistent across every page. This saves time and keeps your site looking polished.
4. Test and Publish in Stages
Don’t feel pressured to design an entire page in one go. Publish your work in stages and come back later to refine it.
When to Reach Out for Help
If you’re one of our customers, your website was likely built using Elementor—so you already have access to its amazing features. If you’re feeling stuck or want to learn how to use it better, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a quick walkthrough or in-depth training, just drop us a message. We love talking about websites (and helping you love yours).
Final Thoughts: Elementor Empowers Your Creativity
Elementor and Elementor Pro are incredible tools for small businesses. Whether you’re customising your site for the first time or diving into advanced features like forms and animations, this platform puts the power of web design at your fingertips.
And remember, you’re not alone. If you need help, reach out to us—or start exploring and have fun with it. Your website is your space, and Elementor makes it easier than ever to make it shine.
Ready to start building? Let’s do this! 🚀
