How to Use Elementor in WordPress

Elementor is one of the most powerful and user-friendly page builders available for WordPress. This guide will walk you through using Elementor in WordPress, from installation to designing your first pages.

Installing Elementor in WordPress

Before learning how to use Elementor on WordPress, the first step is to install and activate the plugin on your website. Elementor integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making setup quick and straightforward.

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard using your admin credentials.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New from the left sidebar.
3. Type Elementor in the search bar.
4. Locate the Elementor Website Builder plugin and click Install Now.
5. After installation, click the Activate button.

Once activated, a new menu item labeled Elementor will appear in your dashboard, giving you access to settings and advanced features.

Getting Started with Elementor in WordPress

Once Elementor is installed, you can begin creating pages using its drag-and-drop interface.

1. Go to Pages > Add New in WordPress.
2. Click the Edit with Elementor button.
3. You'll be taken to the Elementor editor interface.

Understanding the Elementor Interface

The Elementor interface is intuitive and consists of key areas that streamline your WordPress design workflow. Knowing how each part functions helps you create responsive and visually appealing pages with ease.

• Sidebar Panel: This is located on the left and acts as your control center. It includes the widget library—where you can drag and drop elements like images, headings, buttons, and forms into your design. It also gives you access to settings for layout, style, and advanced controls such as motion effects and custom CSS.
• Main Canvas: The central area is your live design space, where you visually build and modify your page layout. You can directly interact with sections, columns, and widgets here. Any changes you make are reflected instantly, allowing real-time editing without switching to preview mode.
• Navigator: A floating panel that displays the structure of your entire page. It lets you view and manage every section, column, and widget in a hierarchical tree view. Especially useful for navigating complex layouts and quickly selecting hidden or nested elements.
• Responsive Mode: Accessed via the bottom panel, this tool allows you to preview and adjust your design for different devices—desktop, tablet, and mobile. You can tweak font sizes, spacing, and visibility for each device individually to ensure your layout looks perfect everywhere.

Using Elementor Widgets and Features

Widgets are the building blocks in Elementor. They allow you to add elements like text, images, videos, and buttons.

Creating a Website Layout in Elementor

To customize WordPress pages with Elementor, begin structuring your content.

Choose a layout structure

• Add a new section by clicking the "+" button.
• Select your desired column layout.

Drag widgets into the layout

• Pick widgets from the left panel.
• Drag them into your chosen column or section.

Customize each widget

• Click on the widget to edit content, style, and advanced settings.

Using Pre-Made Elementor Templates

Elementor provides a library of professionally designed templates that help you build pages faster and more efficiently. These templates cover a wide range of needs—from landing pages and homepages to contact sections and pricing tables—saving you time on layout and design work.

1. In the Elementor editor, click the folder icon: Located at the bottom of the widget panel, this opens the Template Library where all pre-designed layouts are stored.
2. Browse or search for templates in the library: You can filter by type (pages, blocks, or your saved templates), or use the search bar to find specific layouts like “portfolio,” “about us,” or “services.” Templates are previewable before inserting, so you can see what suits your needs best.
3. Click Insert to add one to your page: Once you’ve found the right template, click “Insert” and Elementor will automatically load it into your canvas. From there, you can fully customize every element—swap text, change images, adjust spacing, or tweak colors to match your brand.

Publishing and Previewing Your Page

Once your design is complete in Elementor, it's important to preview how it looks before making it live. Elementor allows you to see the page exactly as your visitors would view it, across desktop, tablet, and mobile screens.

1. Click the eye icon at the bottom left of the Elementor panel to enter preview mode.
2. Use the responsive mode toggle to view how your page looks on different devices.
3. If changes are needed, return to editing; otherwise, click the Publish button.

After publishing, your page becomes live and accessible on the web. You can also use the Save as Draft or Schedule options if you're not ready to go public yet.

Troubleshooting Common Elementor Issues

Occasionally, users face issues when using Elementor. Here are quick fixes:

• Page not loading: Clear cache or increase PHP memory.
• Widgets not working: Disable conflicting plugins.
• Slow performance: Optimize images and use a caching plugin.

Useful Links

Elementor Official Plugin Page (WordPress.org) – Shows how to search, install, and activate the free version of Elementor directly from your WordPress dashboard – matching your "Installing Elementor" steps.

Elementor Getting Started Guide – Elementor's own "How to Get Started" guide covers launching the editor, using the panel/canvas interface, templates, and responsive mode.

Official Troubleshooting Guide: Editor Not Loading – Addresses common loading issues such as memory limits, plugin/theme conflicts, and caching—directly relevant to your troubleshooting section.

How to Insert a Template (Elementor Library) – Outlines step‑by‑step instructions on browsing and inserting pre-made templates, supporting your "Using Pre-Made Templates" section.

Your Elementor Website Can Do Even Better!

Elfsight created dozens of useful widgets to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Elementor!

Conclusion

Learning how to use Elementor with WordPress allows anyone to build beautiful and functional websites without coding. From building custom layouts to utilizing pre-made templates, Elementor gives you full control over your WordPress pages through an intuitive drag and drop editor. With practice, you'll be able to create polished websites quickly and efficiently.