Create Dynamic Content with WP Astra and Elementor (Free)

Preface

Are you ready to take your WordPress website to the next level? Do you want to create dynamic content that adapts to your visitors and keeps them engaged? You’re in the right place! This guide will show you how to create dynamic content using two powerful tools: WP Astra and Elementor, both with their free versions. No coding knowledge is required! Let’s dive in and unleash the power of dynamic content for your website.

What is Dynamic Content, and Why Does It Matter?

Dynamic content is website content that changes based on user behavior, preferences, or other variables. Unlike static content, which remains the same for every visitor, dynamic content can personalize the user experience, making your website more engaging and relevant.

Here’s why dynamic content is essential:

• Personalization: Tailor content to individual users.
• Engagement: Keep visitors interested with fresh, relevant information.
• Conversion: Increase the likelihood of conversions by showing targeted offers and messages.
• SEO: Improve search engine rankings with frequently updated and relevant content. For example, you can update your WordPress website such that it is SEO optimized with this quickstart guide.

Tools You’ll Need

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

• WordPress: A self-hosted WordPress website.
• Astra Theme: The free version of the Astra theme installed and activated.
• Elementor Page Builder: The free version of Elementor installed and activated.
• Essential Addons for Elementor: A free plugin providing extra widgets for Elementor.

Why Astra and Elementor?

Info: Astra is a lightweight, customizable theme that integrates seamlessly with Elementor. Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder that makes creating beautiful, professional-looking websites easy. Together, they provide a powerful platform for building dynamic websites.

Setting Up Astra and Elementor

If you haven’t already, let’s set up Astra and Elementor.

Install and Activate Astra

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
3. Click Add New.
4. Search for “Astra.”
5. Click Install and then Activate.

Install and Activate Elementor

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Elementor.”
4. Click Install and then Activate.

Install Essential Addons for Elementor

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Essential Addons for Elementor.”
4. Click Install and then Activate.

Hint: Make sure to activate all three to follow along with this tutorial!

Creating Your First Dynamic Content Section

Let’s create a simple dynamic content section that displays a personalized welcome message based on the time of day.

Step 1: Create a New Page with Elementor

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Pages > Add New.
3. Give your page a title (e.g., “Dynamic Content Example”).
4. Click Edit with Elementor.

Step 2: Add a Heading Widget

1. In the Elementor editor, drag a Heading widget from the left sidebar to the main content area.
2. Edit the heading text to something generic, like “Welcome!”.

Step 3: Add Dynamic Text

Unfortunately, the free version of Elementor doesn’t directly support dynamic content in the way that Elementor Pro does. However, we can leverage Essential Addons for Elementor to achieve a similar effect. For example, here is a guide on mastering the Elementor Page Builder.

1. Drag the Advanced Heading widget from Essential Addons below the Heading widget.
2. In the Advanced Heading widget, find the “Prefix” or “Suffix” options. We’ll use these to add our dynamic text.
3. To add dynamic text, we need to write javascript, which will determine the correct greeting depending on the time.

Step 4: Adding the Code

To have the advantage of dynamic content, the right code must be implemented.

<script>
  function getTimeBasedGreeting() {
    var now = new Date();
    var hour = now.getHours();

    if (hour < 12) {
      return 'Good morning!';
    } else if (hour < 18) {
      return 'Good afternoon!';
    } else {
      return 'Good evening!';
    }
  }

  var greeting = getTimeBasedGreeting();
  document.write(greeting);
</script>

Step 5: Customizing the Appearance

You can customize the appearance of the Advanced Heading widget using Elementor’s styling options. Adjust the font, color, size, and other settings to match your website’s design.

Advanced Dynamic Content Examples

Here are some more advanced examples of what you can achieve with dynamic content using Elementor and Astra, even with the free versions:

• Displaying User-Specific Content: Show different content based on whether a user is logged in or not. For users who are logged in you could implement a top-bar that navigates them to the specific account details.
• Showcasing Featured Content: Highlight recent blog posts or popular products automatically. For example, here is a list of the top 10 AI plugins for wordpress.
• Creating Personalized Landing Pages: Tailor landing pages to specific marketing campaigns or user demographics. For example, if you want to start your own blog, here is a complete guide on how to make a free website.

Best Practices for Dynamic Content

• Keep it Relevant: Ensure your dynamic content is relevant to the user and their interests.
• Test and Optimize: Continuously test different variations of your dynamic content to see what works best.
• Use Analytics: Track how users interact with your dynamic content to measure its effectiveness.
• Don’t Overdo It: Use dynamic content sparingly to avoid overwhelming users.

Info: Dynamic content should enhance the user experience, not detract from it.

Astra Pro and Elementor Pro for Enhanced Dynamic Content

While you can achieve a lot with the free versions of Astra and Elementor, upgrading to the Pro versions unlocks even more powerful dynamic content capabilities.

• Astra Pro: Offers advanced header and footer options, custom layouts, and more, allowing you to create more dynamic and personalized website designs. You can get more from Astra Pro.
• Elementor Pro: Provides access to dynamic content tags, custom fields, and advanced integrations, making it easier to create highly personalized user experiences. You can get more from Elementor Pro.

Conclusion

Creating dynamic content with WP Astra and Elementor’s free version is a fantastic way to enhance user engagement and personalize the browsing experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start implementing dynamic elements on your website today. Embrace the power of dynamic content and watch your website come to life!