The Ultimate Guide to Elementor Shortcodes for Beginners

Preface

Elementor is a powerful WordPress page builder that allows you to create stunning websites with ease. One of its many useful features is the ability to use shortcodes. If you’re new to Elementor or WordPress, shortcodes might seem a bit mysterious. But don’t worry! This ultimate guide will break down everything you need to know about Elementor shortcodes, from what they are to how to use them effectively.

What are Elementor Shortcodes?

Definition: Shortcodes are small pieces of code, enclosed in square brackets, that perform a specific function on your WordPress site. They act as shortcuts to embed content or activate features that would otherwise require complex coding.

In essence, they are like miniature programs that you can insert into your pages, posts, or widgets to display dynamic content or trigger certain actions. Think of them as handy tools to extend the functionality of your website without needing to write any code. Elementor uses shortcodes to easily insert dynamic elements that are rendered by Elementor.

Why Use Elementor Shortcodes?

• Simplicity: Shortcodes simplify complex tasks. Instead of writing lines of HTML or PHP, you can use a simple shortcode.
• Flexibility: They offer flexibility in content creation. You can easily add elements like forms, galleries, or buttons anywhere on your site.
• Consistency: Shortcodes ensure a consistent design. Once you define a shortcode, it will look the same wherever you use it.
• Efficiency: They save time. Instead of recreating elements repeatedly, you can use a shortcode.

Understanding the Basics of Shortcodes

Shortcodes typically look like this:

[shortcode attribute='value']

• shortcode is the name of the shortcode.
• attribute is a parameter that modifies the shortcode’s behavior.
• value is the value assigned to the attribute.

Some shortcodes are self-closing:

[shortcode /]

And others require a closing tag:

[shortcode]Content here[/shortcode]

Finding Elementor Shortcodes

Elementor, by itself, doesn’t directly offer a vast library of unique shortcodes in the way some plugins do. Instead, Elementor focuses on providing a visual drag-and-drop interface to build your pages. However, Elementor seamlessly integrates with WordPress and many plugins that do use shortcodes.

Here’s how you typically find and use shortcodes with Elementor:

1. WordPress Core Shortcodes: WordPress itself has a few built-in shortcodes. For example, the shortcode allows you to display an image gallery. You can find more about these on the WordPress website.

<p>Here's how to use the gallery shortcode:</p>

2. Plugin-Specific Shortcodes: Many WordPress plugins use shortcodes to provide additional functionality. For instance, a contact form plugin might provide a shortcode to embed a form on your page. Once you install the plugin, it will usually provide documentation on which shortcodes are available.

   • Contact Form 7: A popular plugin that uses shortcodes to embed forms. After creating a form, the plugin provides a shortcode that you can use.

<p>Example usage:</p>
[contact-form-7 id='123' title='Contact Form']

• WooCommerce: If you’re running an online store, WooCommerce shortcodes are invaluable. You can display products, categories, and more.

<p>Display featured products:</p>
[featured_products limit='4' columns='2']

• Other Plugins: Many other plugins, such as those for tables, maps, and social media feeds, will also use shortcodes. Always refer to the plugin’s documentation for the correct shortcode and attributes.
• Astra: If you want to easily install ready to use templates check out Astra Pro. You can also check out this blog post: how to install Astra starter templates

3. Elementor Widgets: While Elementor focuses on visual building, you can still use shortcodes within Elementor using the Shortcode widget. Simply drag the Shortcode widget into your layout and paste the shortcode into the widget’s input field.

How to Use Elementor Shortcodes

1. Install and Activate Elementor:
   First, make sure you have Elementor installed and activated. If not, you can install it from the WordPress plugin repository.

2. Edit a Page or Post with Elementor:
   Open the page or post you want to edit with Elementor.

3. Add the Shortcode Widget:
   In the Elementor editor, search for the “Shortcode” widget and drag it to your desired location on the page.

4. Insert the Shortcode:
   In the Shortcode widget settings, paste the shortcode you want to use.

5. Customize (if applicable):
   If the shortcode has attributes, you can modify them to customize the output.

6. Preview and Publish:
   Preview your page to see the shortcode in action. If everything looks good, publish or update the page.

Examples of Useful Shortcodes

1. Displaying a Contact Form:
   If you’re using Contact Form 7, insert the shortcode provided by the plugin to display your contact form.

[contact-form-7 id='YOUR_FORM_ID' title='Contact']

2. Embedding a YouTube Video:
   Some plugins provide shortcodes for embedding videos. For example:

[youtube video_id='YOUR_VIDEO_ID']

3. Displaying Products from WooCommerce:
   Showcase your products using WooCommerce shortcodes.

[products limit='4' columns='2']

4. Displaying a High-Resolution Screenshot
   If you want to show a screenshot of any webpage check out this blog post: how to quickly make high-resolution screenshots in base-64

Tips for Using Elementor Shortcodes

• Keep it Organized: Use a consistent naming convention for your shortcodes.
• Test Thoroughly: Always test your shortcodes to ensure they work as expected.
• Backup Your Site: Before making significant changes, back up your website.
• Check Plugin Documentation: Refer to the plugin’s documentation for detailed information on shortcode usage.
• Don’t Overdo It: While shortcodes are handy, using too many can slow down your site. Use them judiciously. Always consider performance impacts. Web hosters that can boost the performance of you website are Hostgator, Bluehost, Dreamhost or GoDaddy. You can also check out this blog post: how to optimize your website for seo: a quickstart guide for wordpress
• Check out our showcase of Elementor Designs: Check out our Inspirational Showcase of Beautiful Websites Built with Elementor Part 2 Check out our Inspirational Showcase of Beautiful Websites Built with Elementor Part 1 or check out our 10 Expert Tips and Tricks for Mastering Elementor Page Builder

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• Shortcode Not Rendering:
  • Make sure the shortcode is entered correctly.
  • Check if the plugin providing the shortcode is active.
  • Ensure there are no conflicting plugins.
• Incorrect Output:
  • Verify the shortcode attributes.
  • Clear your website cache.
  • Consult the plugin documentation.

Creating Your Own Custom Shortcodes

If you’re comfortable with PHP, you can create your own custom shortcodes. Here’s a basic example:

1. Add Code to functions.php:
   Open your theme’s functions.php file (or use a code snippets plugin) and add the following code:

<?php
function custom_shortcode( $atts, $content = null ) {
 $a = shortcode_atts( array(
 'attribute' => 'default',
 ), $atts );
 return '<div class="custom-shortcode">' . esc_html( $content ) . '</div>';
}
add_shortcode( 'custom', 'custom_shortcode' );
?>

2. Use the Shortcode:
   Now you can use your custom shortcode in your posts or pages:

[custom]Your Content[/custom]

Hint: Creating custom shortcodes requires knowledge of PHP. Be cautious when editing your theme’s `functions.php` file. Always back up your site first!

Alternatives to Shortcodes in Elementor

While shortcodes are useful, Elementor offers many built-in widgets that can accomplish the same tasks visually. For example, instead of using a shortcode for a button, you can use Elementor’s Button widget. This gives you more control over the design and layout.

Best Practices for Using Shortcodes with Elementor

• Use Sparingly: Rely more on Elementor’s built-in widgets when possible.
• Document Your Shortcodes: Keep a record of the shortcodes you use and their functions.
• Update Regularly: Ensure your plugins are up to date to maintain compatibility.

Conclusion

Elementor shortcodes are a powerful tool for extending the functionality of your WordPress website. By understanding how they work and using them wisely, you can create stunning and dynamic websites with ease. Whether you’re embedding contact forms, displaying product listings, or adding custom content, shortcodes offer a flexible and efficient way to enhance your site’s capabilities. So dive in, experiment, and unlock the full potential of Elementor and shortcodes! Happy website building!