Unlock Elementor’s true power — go from first-time user to layout legend.
Introduction: The Website Revolution Is at Your Fingertips
In the past, building a website required coding, graphic design know-how, and a lot of technical patience. Today, with tools like WordPress and Elementor, anyone can create stunning, functional websites with just a few clicks and some creativity. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative, or someone wanting to showcase their work, Elementor transforms web design into a visual and intuitive process.
1. What is Elementor?
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress that allows you to build professional-looking pages without writing a single line of code.
- Free & Pro Versions: The free version gives you access to essential design features. The Pro version unlocks advanced widgets, theme building, WooCommerce support, and more.
- Visual Front-End Editing: You see changes in real-time, right on the page.
- Modular Content Blocks: Everything is composed of sections, columns, and widgets—easy to grasp and powerful in execution.
If you haven’t yet, install Elementor from the WordPress plugin directory and activate it.
2. Getting Started with WordPress and Elementor
To use Elementor, you first need a WordPress site. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Install WordPress
Most hosting providers have a one-click WordPress install. If not have hosting, we can provider affordable WordPress Hosting Here.
Step 2: Choose a Lightweight Theme
- Navigate to Themes → Add New
- Search for “Hello”
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Elementor works best with themes that are built for it. Some great options:
- Hello Theme (from Elementor)
- Astra
- GeneratePress
Step 3: Install Elementor
From your WordPress dashboard:
- Navigate to Plugins → Add New
- Search for “Elementor”
- Click Install Now, then Activate
3. Understanding Elementor’s Building Blocks
Sections → Columns → Widgets
- Sections are horizontal rows
- Columns live inside sections and allow vertical splitting
- Widgets go inside columns and represent content (text, images, buttons, etc.)
This structure makes Elementor a visual content organizer.
Pro Tip: Right-click on any element to duplicate, copy styles, or delete. You’ll save loads of time.
4. Creating Your First Page in Elementor
- Go to Pages → Add New
- Title it (e.g., "Home")
- Click "Update" First to register the new page in the database.
- Click “Edit with Elementor”
From here, you’re taken to the visual editor.
- Add a Hero Section (large image + heading + CTA button)
- Add an About Section with image on left, text on right
- Add a Contact Form using the free WPForms plugin or Elementor Pro’s form widget
5. Basic Design Elements Explained
Widget | Use Case |
|---|---|
Heading | For titles and subtitles |
Text Editor | For paragraphs |
Button | For calls to action |
Image | To showcase visual content |
Spacer/Divider | For visual breathing room |
Icon Box | To combine icons and text |
Experiment with spacing, typography, and alignment — small tweaks make big visual improvements.
6. Responsive Design Made Simple
Today’s websites must look good on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Elementor gives you:
- Device Preview Toggle: Preview your layout on all three screen types
- Custom Styling per Device: Resize or hide elements on specific screens
Example: Set a large heading size for desktop, but scale it down on mobile.
7. Unlocking Global Styles and Design Consistency
Elementor’s Site Settings (accessible via the hamburger menu in the editor) allow you to:
- Set global colors and fonts
- Define default button styles
- Control your entire website’s look from one place
No more inconsistent headings or off-brand colours.
8. Exploring Advanced Widgets (Elementor Pro)
Widget | Power Feature |
|---|---|
Form | Lead capture, contact forms |
Posts | Display blog posts in customizable layout |
Slides | Slick image sliders |
Nav Menu | Fully editable headers/footers |
Pricing Table | Showcase product or service tiers |
Pro Tip: Use the Popup Builder to create timed offers, exit-intent modals, or newsletter signups.
9. Crafting Advanced Layouts with Flexbox and Containers
In 2023, Elementor introduced the Flexbox Container system as a modern replacement to sections and columns. Why use it?
- Faster performance
- Cleaner HTML
- Better mobile control
How it works:
- Create a container
- Add direction (row or column)
- Insert items (widgets, other containers)
- Use gap, justify-content, and align-items for precision layout control
Enable Flexbox Containers in Elementor Settings → Features, and explore the future of layout design.
10. Tips for Elevating Your Design
- Use Padding & Margin Wisely: Don’t squash elements together.
- Match Typography Hierarchy: Use H1 for the page title, H2 for section headings, H3 for subheadings.
- Stick to a Color Palette: Pick 2-3 main colors and stick with them throughout.
- Use Reusable Templates: Save sections or full pages to reuse them later.
- Add Motion Effects: Fade in content, create scroll animations — but don’t overdo it.
11. Keeping Performance High
A slow website will lose visitors. To keep things running smoothly:
- Use image optimization plugins (e.g. ShortPixel, Smush)
- Minimize external scripts
- Use Elementor’s built-in performance tweaks
- Use caching (via plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache)
- Host local with us at on the Host Africa Servers today for best local speed performance
12. Backups and Security Essentials
It’s vital to protect your work:
- Install UpdraftPlus or similar for backups
- Use Wordfence or iThemes Security
- Keep Elementor, themes, and WordPress updated
Conclusion: You’re Ready to Build Boldly
Dear reader and fellow web designer, you’ve now been introduced to a powerful toolkit that empowers beginners to create visually striking, fully functional websites. From simple blocks to advanced responsive layouts, Elementor scales with your skills. But don’t stop here — practice by building a landing page, recreate your favourite site’s homepage, or start your own portfolio.
Next Step
Try designing a 3-page site using Elementor: Home, About, and Contact. Then build your confidence with blog pages or even a WooCommerce shop.
