Elementor Overview #
Elementor is a visual drag-and-drop web builder plugin for WordPress. It replaces the default WordPress editor with a live frontend editor, enabling users to build and design websites directly on the page.
Containers #
Elementor now uses containers to organise and structure webpages, moving away from the previous system of sections, columns, and inner sections. Containers enable more intricate webpage designs and improve layout efficiency.
To create a container, you can use any of the following methods:
1. Click the “+” sign on the canvas and select a layout.
2. Drag the container widget from the side panel and drop it into the “+” sign in the canvas.
3. Drag and drop a widget onto the canvas near the “+” sign, and a container will be automatically created around the widget.
You can also nest containers if you want greater control of the layout.
If you don’t see containers in your Elementor Editor page, you must activate it by going to the dashboard, then Elementor > Settings > Features. Scroll down to locate the Container feature and choose Active, then click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.
If your website was created using sections, please refer to the Container Conversion Process.
Visit this link to learn more about containers.
Widgets #
Widgets are pre-designed elements such as the heading, text box, image, buttons, etc., that serve as the building blocks for your website.
You can easily drag and drop widgets onto the canvas to build your page. Each widget has a set of custom controls that allow you to enter data, modify its appearance, and adjust its behaviour. These controls are accessible from the left panel.
Learn more about widgets here.
Templates #
Templates are pre-designed layouts for single pages, posts, or sections that can be reused throughout a website. Elementor offers free templates that you can access from the Template Library. Additionally, you have the option to create your own templates and save them in the library for later use.
How to Use a Template from the Library #
To add a template to your page, follow these steps:
1. Click the folder button on the canvas to open the template library.
2. Choose a tab to select your desired template. You can pick from:
– Block templates
– Page templates
– My Templates (for templates you have created)
3. Scroll or use the search function to find a template.
4. If choosing from Block and Page templates, hover over your preferred template and click Insert. If choosing from My Templates, click the Insert button at the end of the row.
How to Create a Template #
- In the admin dashboard, navigate to Templates > Add New.
- In the dialogue box, choose the template type from the dropdown and enter a name in the provided field.
- Click Create Template.
- Build a template in the Elementor Editor.
- Click Publish.
To learn more about working with templates, go to this link.
Theme Builder #
Elementor’s Theme Builder is a powerful tool that allows you to design and customise various parts of your WordPress website without needing to write code. It lets you take full control over essential site elements like the header, footer, single post templates, archive pages, and even WooCommerce product pages.
How to Use the Theme Builder #
- Navigate to Templates > Theme Builder in your WordPress dashboard.
- Choose which site part you want to customise (header, footer, etc.).
- Design with Elementor using widgets and styling options to create your ideal layout.
- Set Display Conditions – Define where your template should be applied (e.g., across the entire site or only on specific pages).
- Click Publish.
Learn more about Theme Builder here.