To answer your question, what is Elementor? I’ll keep it simple.
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress. It lets you create custom pages and layouts without writing a single line of code.
You don’t have to struggle with the default WordPress editor or figure out how to write custom CSS. With Elementor, you just drag stuff into place: text, images, buttons, whatever, and see the changes right away. You don’t have to switch between tabs.
Whether you’re building one page or your entire site, Elementor page builder gives you way more control and makes the whole process a lot less frustrating.
In this post, I’ll break down what Elementor is, how it works, what you can do with it, and why so many people are using it to build better WordPress websites.
- Elementor provides true visual editing letting you design pages live on screen without switching between edit and preview modes.
- The WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) is fine for basic layout, but it lacks advanced styling and design flexibility.
- Elementor includes a wide range of widgets, such as forms, sliders, and dynamic content, far beyond the default WordPress blocks.
- With Elementor Pro, you can design your entire site, including header, footer, blog templates, and WooCommerce pages
- Many users prefer Elementor for building beautiful custom websites without coding, especially when Gutenberg feels limiting
So, How Does Elementor Page Builder Actually Work?
Once you’ve got Elementor installed on your WordPress site (either by uploading the plugin zip file or grabbing it from the dashboard), it’s super easy to get started.
Just open any page or post, hit “Edit with Elementor,” and that’s it, you’re in.
From there, you’re working inside a clean, visual editor. It’s got a drag-and-drop interface that lets you add text, images, buttons, videos, forms, and a lot more with just a few clicks. As I said earlier, no switching between tabs and no weird settings hidden five menus deep.
Want to move something: an element or an image? Just drag it where you want it. Need a different layout? Drop in a section and customize the columns. Everything updates live, right on the screen, so you always see exactly what your visitors will see.
The biggest advantage with Elementor is that you’re not locked into any one layout, either. Whether you’re designing a single landing page or rebuilding your entire professional website, Elementor gives you full control over the page layout, styling, and structure, without needing to touch a single line of code.
And the best part is it works with just about any theme and plays nicely with most other WordPress plugins.
So, as a web creator, if you’ve already got a setup in place, you can still bring in Elementor without starting from scratch.
What Can You Build with Elementor?
Pretty much anything you want.
Since Elementor is a page builder plugin, you can use it to build one-off landing pages, full websites, product pages, blog templates, custom post types, you name it. It’s not just for simple pages either. You can create entire layouts from scratch or start with a template and tweak it to fit your style.
If you’re working with WooCommerce, Elementor lets you design custom product pages, shop layouts, and checkout flows that actually match the look and feel of your brand. You don’t need extra plugins or dev help.
Agencies use it all the time to build client sites. Freelancers use it to create polished portfolios. Small businesses use it to launch their entire online presence. It scales up or down depending on what you need.
And everything is responsive by default. So the pages you build look good on desktop, tablet, and mobile, without needing to build three different versions.
Is Elementor Free to Use?
Elementor has 2 versions. One is free and the other is Elementor Pro.
With the free version, you get the key features like a drag-and-drop editor, a clean interface, and a solid set of basic widgets like text, images, videos, buttons, and more.
Trust me, it’s more than enough to build custom pages without touching code or fighting with the default WordPress editor.
But if you want more advanced features and functionality, that’s where Elementor Pro comes in.
The Pro version offers a whole set of advanced features: custom forms, sliders, price tables, motion effects, and dozens of additional widgets.
As part of the Elementor Pro features, you also get the Theme Builder, Popup Builder, and WooCommerce Builder, which means you’re not just designing pages anymore, you’re designing your entire website.
You can create custom headers, footers, dynamic post templates, product pages, and even custom post types, all with the same drag-and-drop ease.
Pro also lets you add custom CSS directly in the editor, which is great if you want to fine-tune something or bring in your own styles. And if you’re building client sites, the extra tools can save you a ton of time.
Now if you’re wondering about Elementor pricing, here’s how it works.
| Feature | Essential | Advanced Solo | Advanced | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (per month, biled annually) | $4.99 | $6.99 | $8.25 | $16.99 |
| Pay Today (Annual Bill) | $60 | $84 | $99 | $204 |
| Sites Include | 1 | 1 | Up to 3 | Up to 25 |
| Pro Widgets | 57 | 86 | 86 | 86 |
| Cloud Templates | 10 | 20 | 30 | 5,000 |
| Theme Builder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Form Builder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Popup Builder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Code & CSS | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ecommerce Features | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Collaborative Notes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Elementor Pro is sold on a yearly plan. You choose your license based on how many sites you want to use it on. Whether it’s one personal project or a whole list of client websites, there’s a plan that fits.
And for the value it offers, it’s honestly a smart investment.
Instead of stitching together five different WordPress plugins to get the same functionality, Elementor gives you an all-in-one solution that works right out of the box. That means fewer compatibility issues, faster setup, and more time focused on design, not troubleshooting.
If you’re building serious websites or just want more control and flexibility, going Pro is worth it. Many users find the Pro version worth it for greater design control and professional results.
How Fast is Elementor Really?
This is a common question. And to be fair, it’s a valid one.
Elementor has a lot of features, which means it does add some weight to your pages. But that doesn’t automatically mean your site will be slow. It all comes down to how you use it.
If you load up every page with huge images, tons of animations, and fifty widgets, yeah, it can slow things down. But that’s not an Elementor problem. That’s a website optimization problem.
Let me explain how.
Elementor offers a lot of flexibility, but if you’re adding uncompressed images, stacking too many animations, or loading five different font files, your site is going to feel heavy.
That’s true for any page builder.
What really affects performance are the choices you make during the website creation process: how you manage your assets, how clean your layout is, and how well your hosting performs.
The good news is Elementor has improved its performance in newer versions. It now loads scripts more efficiently and follows best practices for Core Web Vitals. If you’re using Google Cloud or any other fast hosting setup, you’re already ahead.
You can also boost performance by writing some custom code, keeping your design lean, and using tools like caching plugins and a content delivery network. And yes, Elementor works well with those too.
So is Elementor slow? It can be if you go overboard with your creative process. But if you use it smartly, it’s more than capable of building fast, responsive websites that pass all the important speed checks.
Elementor vs. WordPress Editor (Gutenberg): What’s the Real Difference?
If you’ve used the default editor, Gutenberg, you know it’s fine for basic stuff. You can drop in blocks for text, images, or a featured image, and maybe tweak a few layout settings if you’re comfortable with the interface.
But once you want complete control of the design or want your site to actually look polished and professional, it starts to fall short.
That’s where Elementor takes over.
1. Visual Editing vs. Block Editing
The Elementor editor gives you a true visual experience. Everything happens live, right on the screen. You’re not switching between edit and preview modes.
With the default editor, you’re mostly stacking blocks and hoping it turns out right. With Elementor, you see what your visitors will see as you build.
What you get with Elementor:
- A true drag-and-drop interface
- Real-time editing with no page refresh
- Intuitive layout adjustments
- Instant visual feedback
2. Layout and Design Flexibility
The default WordPress editor gives you basic control over structure, but it’s limited when it comes to styling and layout.
Elementor gives you complete control over every element: spacing, alignment, colors, fonts, backgrounds, and a lot more. And you don’t need to touch custom CSS unless you want to.
Elementor gives you:
- Full page layout control
- Column-based sections, you can customize
- Built-in styling options for every widget
- Easy access to custom CSS when needed
3. More Widgets, More Power
WordPress blocks are fine, but Elementor comes packed with widgets that go further. And if you’re using Elementor Pro, that list expands even more.
With Elementor, you can drop in:
- Forms, sliders, countdowns, and price tables
- Dynamic content like post titles or custom post types
- Navigation menus, icons, buttons, and more
- A search bar, social icons, and even login forms
4. Build Beyond Posts and Pages
The default editor limits you to posts and pages. Elementor lets you design your entire website.
With Elementor and the Theme Builder, you can create:
- Custom headers and footers
- Blog archives and single post templates
- Custom product pages for WooCommerce
- 404 pages, category pages, and more
Why So Many WordPress Users Choose Elementor
There’s a reason Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress plugins out there.
It’s not just the drag-and-drop editor or the clean interface. It’s the fact that it gives people full creative control. For WordPress users who want to build better websites, that’s indeed a big deal.
You can design landing pages, custom product pages, and even your entire website using the same intuitive interface. Whether you’re a freelancer working on client sites or a business owner building your first site, Elementor makes the whole website creation process smoother.
Elementor also works with almost every major theme, including the lightweight Hello Theme built specifically for Elementor. You’re not restricted. You’re free to design however you want, using the tools that make sense for your site.
Coming to its library? Massive. You get access to a vast library of widgets, templates, blocks, custom widgets, and kits, especially if you’re using Elementor Pro. Need a popup builder? A site planner? A custom layout for blog posts? It’s all there.
Conclusion
If you’re someone who wants more control over your WordPress site without messing with code or spending hours figuring things out, Elementor is 100 percent worth a look.
The Elementor plugin is one of the easiest ways to level up your site design. You’re working inside a clean, visual Elementor interface where everything is drag and drop. No guessing. No switching tabs. Just build and see your changes live.
Even the free version is packed with value. You get access to core widgets, responsive design tools, and a page builder that’s way more intuitive than the default WordPress editor.
But what makes Elementor stand out are the extra tools you unlock when you’re ready to go deeper. The Elementor features in the Pro version give you total control, from theme building to WooCommerce pages to advanced forms and popups.
So if you’re looking for a flexible, all-in-one design solution that grows with your needs, Elementor is hard to beat.
