Unlock Elementor’s Free Version: Mastering Hidden Features

Preface

Are you ready to build stunning websites without breaking the bank? Elementor’s free version is a powerhouse of features just waiting to be unlocked. This guide will show you how to master Elementor’s free version, discover hidden features, and create professional-looking websites. Let’s dive in!

What is Elementor?

Elementor is a popular drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress. It allows you to create custom website designs without needing to code. While Elementor offers a premium version with advanced features, the free version is surprisingly robust and capable of creating impressive websites.

Definition: A page builder is a WordPress plugin that allows you to design and customize your website’s pages using a visual, drag-and-drop interface, without needing to write code.

Why Use Elementor’s Free Version?

• Ease of Use: Elementor’s intuitive interface makes web design accessible to everyone.
• No Coding Required: Design beautiful pages without writing a single line of code.
• Customization: Offers a wide range of customization options to create unique designs.
• Free: The best part? It won’t cost you a dime!

Getting Started with Elementor

Installation

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Elementor”.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Click Activate.

Info: Make sure you have a working WordPress installation before installing Elementor. If you don’t have one, you should start with a quality hosting provider. Bluehost is a solid option to start a WordPress website!

If you need more guidance, check out this tutorial on how to install WordPress plugins.

The Elementor Interface

Once activated, you can start using Elementor to design your pages. Here’s a quick overview of the interface:

• The Panel: Located on the left, it contains all the widgets and settings you need.
• The Live Preview: The main area where you see your design in real-time.
• The Toolbar: At the bottom, you’ll find options to save, preview, and publish your page.

Essential Features in Elementor’s Free Version

Basic Widgets

Elementor’s free version comes with a set of basic widgets that are essential for building any website. Some of the most useful include:

• Text: Add and format text.
• Image: Insert images and customize their appearance.
• Video: Embed videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or self-hosted sources.
• Button: Create clickable buttons with custom links and styles.
• Divider: Add visual separation between sections.
• Google Maps: Embed a Google Maps location.
• Icon: Use a library of Font Awesome icons

Sections and Columns

Sections are the building blocks of your page. You can divide each section into columns to create layouts. To add a section:

1. Click the + icon.
2. Choose the number of columns you want.

Global Settings

Info: Global settings allow you to define default styles for your entire website, ensuring consistency across all pages.

You can access global settings by clicking the hamburger menu in the top-left corner of the Elementor interface, then selecting “Site Settings.” Here, you can customize:

• Global Colors: Set a color palette for your site.
• Global Fonts: Choose default fonts for headings and body text.
• Typography: Configure default text styles.

Hint: Use global settings to maintain a consistent design across your website, and save time by avoiding repetitive styling.

Unlocking Hidden Features in Elementor Free

Using the Elementor Template Library

Elementor’s template library offers pre-designed templates that you can import and customize. To access it:

1. Click the folder icon.
2. Browse the available templates.
3. Select a template and click Insert.

Definition: A template is a pre-designed layout that you can import into Elementor and customize to fit your needs.

Leveraging Free Add-ons

Several free add-ons extend Elementor’s functionality. Some popular options include:

• Essential Addons for Elementor: Adds a variety of useful widgets and extensions.
• Ultimate Addons for Elementor: Offers additional widgets and customization options.
• Header Footer Elementor: Enables you to create custom headers and footers with Elementor.

To install an add-on:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for the add-on.
3. Click Install Now and then Activate.

Make sure the add-on is compatible with your WordPress version and Elementor. Always, always check when the plugin was last updated.

Check this article, which showcases AI plugins for WordPress, which might give you another source for useful add-ons!

Custom CSS

While Elementor is code-free, adding custom CSS can enhance your designs. You can add custom CSS to individual elements or globally.

• To add CSS to an element: Select the element, go to the Advanced tab, and enter your CSS code in the Custom CSS section.

selector {
  color: blue;
  font-size: 16px;
}

• To add global CSS: Go to Site Settings > Custom CSS and enter your code.

Hint: Use custom CSS to fine-tune the appearance of your elements and achieve unique design effects. But make sure you know how to include css into wordpress: WordPress Style CSS!

Keyboard Shortcuts

Elementor has several keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. Some useful shortcuts include:

• Ctrl+S (Cmd+S): Save your work.
• Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z): Undo.
• Ctrl+Shift+Z (Cmd+Shift+Z): Redo.
• Ctrl+E (Cmd+E): Open the Elementor Finder.

Mobile Responsiveness

Info: Ensuring your website is mobile-responsive is crucial for providing a good user experience on all devices.

Elementor makes it easy to create responsive designs. Use the responsive mode to preview your design on different devices and adjust settings accordingly.

1. Click the Responsive Mode icon at the bottom.
2. Select a device (Desktop, Tablet, Mobile).
3. Adjust settings as needed.

You can adjust font sizes, padding, and margins for different devices to ensure your site looks great on any screen. See more here about mobile responsiveness and media queries.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Using Negative Margins

Negative margins can create overlapping elements and unique design effects. To use negative margins:

1. Select the element.
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Adjust the margin values.

Info: Be careful when using negative margins, as they can sometimes cause layout issues on different devices.

Z-Index

The z-index property controls the stacking order of elements. To use z-index:

1. Select the element.
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Adjust the z-index value.

Elements with higher z-index values will appear on top of elements with lower values.

Custom Attributes

Custom attributes allow you to add additional information to HTML elements. To add custom attributes:

1. Select the element.
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Open the Attributes accordion.
4. Add your custom attributes.

Using Counters and Progress Bars

Counters and progress bars are great for showcasing statistics and progress. To add these elements:

1. Search for the “Counter” or “Progress Bar” widget.
2. Drag the widget to your desired location.
3. Customize the settings.

Optimizing Your Elementor Website

SEO Optimization

Info: Optimizing your website for search engines is crucial for attracting organic traffic.

• Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords naturally into your content.
• Optimize Images: Use descriptive alt tags for images.
• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your site is responsive and mobile-friendly.

Check out this guide about SEO Optimization on WordPress!

Performance Optimization

• Optimize Images: Compress images to reduce file size. Tools like TinyPNG can help.
• Use a Caching Plugin: Caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache can improve site speed.
• Minimize HTTP Requests: Reduce the number of files your site needs to load.

Don’t forget that you also have to chose the right fonts for your website. Otherwise things will look really bad and performance will be even worse. Check this: How to select the right Fonts!

Conclusion

Mastering Elementor’s free version opens up a world of possibilities for creating stunning websites. By understanding the essential features, unlocking hidden gems, and optimizing your site, you can build a professional-looking website without spending a fortune. So go ahead, unleash your creativity, and start building amazing websites with Elementor today!