How to Build a Fully Customizable Blog Layout with Elementor Free Widgets

Preface

Are you ready to take control of your blog’s design without spending a dime? With Elementor, you can craft a stunning, fully customizable blog layout using only the free widgets. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced web designer, this guide will walk you through the steps to create a unique and engaging blog that reflects your personal style or brand. Let’s dive in and unleash your creativity!

Why Use Elementor for Your Blog Layout?

Elementor is a powerful drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress that allows you to create custom layouts without any coding knowledge. The free version offers a wide range of widgets that are perfect for building a professional-looking blog. Here’s why you should consider using Elementor:

• No Coding Required: Elementor’s intuitive interface makes it easy to design your blog layout visually.
• Customization Options: With various widgets and settings, you can tailor every aspect of your blog to match your vision.
• Responsive Design: Ensure your blog looks great on all devices with Elementor’s responsive design features.
• Free to Use: You can achieve a lot with the free version, making it perfect for those on a budget.

Info: If you want to further expand the functionality, consider Elementor Pro. It offers a number of add-ons and can be purchased as plugin.

Getting Started: Installing Elementor

Before we begin, make sure you have Elementor installed on your WordPress site. If not, here’s how:

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

Hint: Make sure your Elementor plugin is up to date. All of our following steps will be futile if you run an outdated plugin. 

Now that Elementor is installed and activated, we can start building your custom blog layout.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building Your Blog Layout

Step 1: Creating a New Page or Template

First, you’ll need to create a new page or use a template where you want to display your blog posts.

1. Create a New Page: Go to Pages > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Give your page a title (e.g., “Blog”).
2. Edit with Elementor: Click the “Edit with Elementor” button to open the Elementor editor.
3. Alternatively Use Theme Templates: Depending on your theme, you might have options to customize archive or blog templates directly. For instance, if you’re using Astra, you can use the Theme Builder to create a custom layout for your blog archive page.

Step 2: Adding a Title Section

A title section can add context to the whole blog page. This is how it is done:

1. Add a Section: Click the “+” icon to add a new section. Choose a structure that suits your design (e.g., a single-column section).
2. Add a Heading Widget: Drag and drop the “Heading” widget into the section.
3. Customize the Heading:
   • Enter your desired title (e.g., “Our Latest Posts”).
   • Adjust the typography, color, and alignment in the “Style” tab.
   • Add a background image or color to the section for visual appeal.

Step 3: Displaying Blog Posts with the Posts Widget

The core of your blog layout is displaying the actual posts. Here’s how to use the Posts widget:

1. Add a New Section: Create another section below the title section.
2. Add the Posts Widget: Drag and drop the “Posts” widget into the new section.
3. Configure the Posts Widget:
   • Layout: Choose a layout style (e.g., Grid, List, or Full Content). Grid is a popular choice for a visually appealing blog layout.
   • Columns: Adjust the number of columns to display your posts in a grid format. Three or four columns often work well.
   • Posts Per Page: Set the number of posts to display on each page.
   • Image: Enable or disable the featured image. If enabled, customize the image size and aspect ratio.
   • Title: Show or hide the post title. Customize the title HTML tag and typography.
   • Excerpt: Display a short excerpt of each post. Adjust the excerpt length to keep it concise.
   • Meta Data: Choose which meta data to display (e.g., date, author, comments). Customize the order and separator.
   • Read More Button: Add a “Read More” button to encourage visitors to click through to the full post. Customize the text and style of the button.

Info: Elementor is more powerful if connected with the right theme. One of the best choices for creating websites it the Astra Theme. It is available as free and pro version

Step 4: Adding Pagination

Pagination is crucial for allowing users to navigate through your blog posts. Here’s how to add it:

1. Enable Pagination: In the Posts widget settings, find the “Pagination” section and enable it.
2. Pagination Type: Choose a pagination type (e.g., Numbers, Previous/Next). The “Numbers” option is generally more user-friendly.
3. Customize Pagination: Adjust the pagination style, color, and typography to match your blog’s design.

Step 5: Adding a Sidebar (Optional)

A sidebar can enhance your blog by providing additional navigation, widgets, and information.

1. Create a Two-Column Section: Add a new section with a two-column structure.
2. Add the Posts Widget: Place the “Posts” widget in one column.
3. Add Widgets to the Sidebar: In the other column, add widgets like:
   • Search: Allow visitors to search your blog.
   • Recent Posts: Display a list of recent posts.
   • Categories: Show a list of blog categories.
   • Archives: Provide access to past blog posts by month.
   • Custom HTML: Add custom content or advertisements.

Step 6: Customizing the Design

Elementor gives you extensive design options to make your blog unique.

1. Adjust Colors and Typography: Use the “Style” tab in each widget’s settings to customize the colors, fonts, and spacing.
2. Add Spacing and Padding: Use margins and padding to create visual separation between elements.
3. Use Backgrounds: Add background colors or images to sections and columns to create visual interest.

Hint: Read up on which fonts to chose for your website: How to chose the right fonts for your website. Or directly look at Top 10 Free Best Google Fonts for Your Website

Step 7: Ensuring Responsive Design

Make sure your blog looks great on all devices by checking and adjusting the responsive settings.

1. Responsive Mode: Click the “Responsive Mode” icon at the bottom of the Elementor editor.
2. Preview on Different Devices: Switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile views to see how your blog looks on each device.
3. Adjust Settings: Modify settings as needed for each device. For example, you might reduce the number of columns on mobile devices to improve readability.

Step 8: Save and Publish

Once you’re happy with your blog layout, save and publish your page.

1. Save Your Work: Click the “Save” button at the bottom of the Elementor editor.
2. Publish Your Page: Click the “Publish” button to make your blog page live.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully built a fully customizable blog layout using Elementor free widgets. By following these steps, you can create a unique and engaging blog that showcases your content in style. Experiment with different layouts, widgets, and design options to find the perfect look for your blog. Happy designing!

Info: Make sure that after customizing the templates and pages, to optimize them for SEO.