How to Install Elementor in WordPress Website

The Ultimate Guide: How to Install Elementor on WordPress Website in 2025

Are you looking to transform your WordPress website with stunning designs but don’t have coding experience? Elementor might be exactly what you need. As the most popular WordPress page builder with over 11 million active installations, Elementor has revolutionized how website owners create beautiful, responsive websites without touching a line of code.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of installing Elementor on your WordPress website, from understanding what Elementor is to troubleshooting common installation issues. Let’s turn your WordPress site into a design masterpiece!

What is Elementor and Why Use It?

Elementor is a drag-and-drop WordPress page builder that allows you to create professional-looking websites without writing a single line of code. Since its launch in 2016, it has become the go-to solution for WordPress users who want complete design freedom without hiring developers.

Here’s why millions of website owners choose Elementor:

  • Intuitive Visual Editor: What you see is what you get – design in real-time
  • Responsive Design Control: Ensure your site looks perfect on all devices
  • Rich Template Library: Access hundreds of pre-designed templates
  • Widget-Based Building: Add functionality through simple drag-and-drop widgets
  • Theme Builder Capabilities: Design entire site themes, including headers and footers
  • WooCommerce Integration: Create custom product pages and checkout experiences
  • Marketing Integration: Connect with email marketing tools and CRMs

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced developer, Elementor simplifies the web design process while delivering professional results.

For more insights on why Elementor has become so popular, check out ThemesCamp’s detailed article on Why You Should Use Elementor in 2025: Top Features and Benefits.

Elementor Free vs Pro: Which Is Right for You?

Before installing Elementor, you should understand the differences between the free and Pro versions to make the right choice for your website needs.

Elementor Free includes:

  • 40+ basic widgets
  • 30+ templates
  • 5 website blocks
  • Responsive editing
  • Basic theme builder

Elementor Pro adds:

  • 90+ Premium widgets
  • 300+ Premium templates
  • 10+ full website template kits
  • Theme builder (header, footer, single post templates, etc.)
  • WooCommerce Builder
  • Popup Builder
  • Form Builder
  • Dynamic content
  • Role Manager
  • Custom CSS controls
  • Professional support

For personal blogs, small businesses just starting out, or those wanting to test Elementor’s capabilities, the free version provides excellent value. For professional websites, eCommerce stores, or advanced design needs, Elementor Pro delivers significant advantages that justify the investment.

Looking to compare Elementor with other popular page builders? Read ThemesCamp’s in-depth analysis of Elementor vs WPBakery: Choosing the Best WordPress Page Builder for 2025. For more options, WPDive offers a comprehensive look at Best WordPress Drag-and-Drop Page Builders for 2025.

Free Elementor Templates and Kits

Even if you’re using the free version of Elementor, you can still access premium-quality templates and kits from third-party providers. One excellent resource is WPDive, which offers free Elementor kits that can significantly enhance your website design options.

Free Elementor Kits provide professionally designed template collections that you can import directly into your Elementor installation. These kits include:

  • Full website templates for various niches (business, portfolio, blog, etc.)
  • Page-specific templates (landing pages, about pages, contact forms)
  • Section blocks you can mix and match
  • Custom widgets and elements

Using these free kits can save you hours of design work and give your website a professional look without the Pro price tag. The installation process is straightforward:

  1. Download the kit package
  2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Templates > Imported Templates
  3. Click “Import Templates” and upload the file
  4. The templates will now be available in your Elementor library

These third-party kits can be an excellent stepping stone before investing in Elementor Pro, allowing you to create professional designs with just the free version of Elementor.

For a comprehensive overview of available templates, check out ThemesCamp’s guide on Best Free & Premium Elementor Templates for WordPress (2025 Guide).

Best WordPress Themes for Elementor

While Elementor works with most WordPress themes, certain themes are specifically optimized for Elementor integration. ThemesCamp offers excellent WordPress themes that work seamlessly with Elementor.

ThemesCamp’s WordPress themes feature:

  • Lightweight and performance-optimized code
  • Pre-built Elementor templates and blocks
  • Custom widgets specifically designed for the theme
  • Header and footer compatibility with Elementor
  • Built-in demo content importable with one click
  • Responsive design optimized for mobile devices
  • Regular updates ensuring compatibility with the latest Elementor version

Using an Elementor-optimized theme like those from ThemesCamp can enhance your design experience by:

  • Reducing potential conflicts between theme and builder
  • Providing cohesive design systems
  • Speeding up your workflow with pre-built elements
  • Ensuring your site remains responsive across all devices
  • Optimizing performance for faster page loading

When selecting a theme for your Elementor-based website, look for those that specifically mention Elementor compatibility and offer dedicated support for the page builder’s features.

If you’re building a creative portfolio, check out ThemesCamp’s roundup of 10 Best WordPress Portfolio Themes for Creatives in 2025, many of which offer excellent Elementor integration. For those looking to build a free portfolio site, This is a useful guide about how to Creating a Free Portfolio Website That Stands Out in 2025.

Prerequisites Before Installing Elementor

Before installing Elementor, ensure your WordPress environment meets these requirements:

  1. WordPress Version: 5.2 or higher (WordPress 6.0+ recommended)
  2. PHP Version: 7.4 or higher (PHP 8.0+ recommended for best performance)
  3. Memory Limit: Minimum 128M (256M+ recommended)
  4. Max Execution Time: 300 seconds or more
  5. Compatible Theme: Most themes work with Elementor, but some are specifically optimized for it
  6. Hosting: Quality hosting with good server resources for optimal performance

To check your current PHP settings, you can install a plugin like “Health Check & Troubleshooting” or navigate to your WordPress dashboard > Tools > Site Health.

Having trouble with your WordPress site? Learn how to Fix “There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website” in WordPress before installing Elementor.

Method 1: Installing Elementor from WordPress Repository

The easiest way to install Elementor is directly through the WordPress admin dashboard:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
  3. Search for “Elementor Page Builder”
  4. Click “Install Now” next to the Elementor plugin (verify it’s the official plugin by Elementor.com)
  5. Once installed, click “Activate”
  6. You’ll see a welcome screen with options to create your first page or watch tutorial videos

That’s it! The free version of Elementor is now installed and ready to use on your WordPress website. The entire process typically takes less than 2 minutes.

Method 2: Uploading Elementor Manually

If you can’t access the WordPress repository or prefer manual installation:

  1. Download the Elementor plugin ZIP file from WordPress.org
  2. Log in to your WordPress admin panel
  3. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
  4. Click “Upload Plugin” at the top of the page
  5. Click “Choose File” and select the Elementor ZIP file you downloaded
  6. Click “Install Now”
  7. After installation completes, click “Activate Plugin”

Manual installation is helpful when you have limited internet connectivity or are working on a local development environment.

Method 3: Installing Elementor Pro

If you’ve purchased Elementor Pro, follow these steps to install it:

  1. Log in to your Elementor account at elementor.com
  2. Navigate to “My Account” > “Downloads”
  3. Download the Elementor Pro plugin ZIP file
  4. Important: You must have the free version of Elementor installed and activated before installing Pro
  5. Go to your WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
  6. Upload and install the Elementor Pro ZIP file
  7. Activate Elementor Pro

Remember that Elementor Pro is an add-on that works alongside the free version, not a replacement for it. Both plugins need to be active for Pro features to work properly.

Activating Your Elementor License

After installing Elementor Pro, you need to activate your license:

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Navigate to Elementor > License
  3. Enter your license key (found in your Elementor account under “License Keys”)
  4. Click “Activate”

A valid, activated license ensures you receive updates and support. Pro licenses are typically valid for one year and need to be renewed to continue receiving updates and support.

How to Update Elementor

Keeping Elementor updated is crucial for security, performance, and access to new features. Here’s how:

  1. For Elementor Free:
    • WordPress will notify you of available updates
    • Go to Dashboard > Updates or Plugins > Installed Plugins
    • Select Elementor and click “Update Now”
  2. For Elementor Pro:
    • Ensure your license is active
    • WordPress will notify you of available Pro updates
    • Update the same way as the free version

Best practices for updating:

  • Always back up your website before updating
  • Test updates on a staging site first if possible
  • Update during low-traffic periods
  • Update both Free and Pro versions when available

For more comprehensive information on maintaining your WordPress site, explore ThemesCamp’s guide on How to Test Your WordPress Site for Functionality, Speed, and Security.

Creating Your First Page with Elementor

Now that Elementor is installed, let’s create your first page:

  1. Go to Pages > Add New in your WordPress dashboard
  2. Enter a title for your page
  3. Click the “Edit with Elementor” button
  4. You’ll enter the Elementor editor with a blank canvas
  5. Click the folder icon in the center to access templates or the “+” icon to add a section
  6. Drag widgets from the left panel into your sections
  7. Edit text, images, and styling using the panels that appear
  8. Click the green “Publish” button when finished

The editor interface is intuitive, but there’s a learning curve. Take some time to explore the widgets, sections, and styling options available.

For detailed instructions on using Elementor to its full potential, read ThemesCamp’s article on Unleash the Power of the Elementor Builder.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Even with a straightforward installation process, issues can occasionally arise:

1. White Screen After Installation

  • Cause: Usually a PHP memory limit issue
  • Solution: Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php (add: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');)

2. Editor Won’t Load

  • Cause: Often JavaScript conflicts with themes or plugins
  • Solution: Temporarily deactivate other plugins to identify conflicts

3. Missing “Edit with Elementor” Button

  • Cause: The page post type might not be supported
  • Solution: Check Elementor > Settings > Post Types and ensure the right types are enabled

4. License Activation Fails

  • Cause: Connectivity issues or incorrect license key
  • Solution: Verify your license key and ensure your server can connect to Elementor’s API

5. Plugin Conflicts

  • Cause: Some plugins may not be compatible with Elementor
  • Solution: Test in safe mode (Elementor > Tools > Safe Mode) to identify conflicts

After installation, you might need to clear your WordPress cache. complete guide on How to Clear Cache in WordPress: Complete Guide for Better Website Performance.

If problems persist, Elementor’s Help Center offers extensive troubleshooting resources.

Best Practices for Using Elementor

To get the most out of Elementor while maintaining a fast, efficient website:

  1. Use a lightweight, Elementor-compatible theme like Hello Elementor, Astra, or GeneratePress
  2. Don’t overuse animations and effects as they can slow down your site
  3. Optimize images before uploading them to your media library
  4. Utilize global widgets and styles for consistent design and easier updates
  5. Install a caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to improve performance
  6. Regularly clean your database of revision history and unused elements
  7. Use responsive design controls to ensure your site looks great on all devices
  8. Create a custom CSS class naming convention for better organization
  9. Take advantage of Elementor’s built-in responsive mode to test different screen sizes
  10. Use the Navigator panel to easily manage complex page structures

These practices will help you create beautiful designs while maintaining good site performance.

For those looking to enhance their website further, consider adding some essential plugins.

To ensure your site ranks well in search engines, explore WPDive’s guide on Best WordPress SEO Plugins for 2025: Boost Your Rankings with the Right Tools.

Considering the financial aspects of your website? Explore ThemesCamp’s article on How Much Does Website Hosting Cost in 2025? (5 Types of Plans) to ensure you have the right hosting solution for your Elementor-powered site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will Elementor work with my existing WordPress theme?

A: Most likely, yes. Elementor works with virtually all properly coded WordPress themes. However, some themes are specifically optimized for Elementor, offering better integration and performance, such as Hello Elementor, Astra, GeneratePress, and OceanWP.

Q: Do I need to know coding to use Elementor?

A: No coding knowledge is required to use Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface. However, basic understanding of HTML and CSS can be helpful for advanced customizations.

Q: Can I use Elementor with WooCommerce?

A: Yes! Elementor Pro includes WooCommerce Builder, allowing you to design custom product pages, category pages, and checkout experiences. The free version has basic WooCommerce widgets as well. For WooCommerce users How to Choose the Right WooCommerce Payment Gateway Plugin for Your Store in 2025.

Q: Will Elementor slow down my website?

A: When used properly, Elementor’s impact on performance is minimal. However, overusing complex widgets, animations, and unoptimized images can affect speed. Following best practices and using a good caching solution help maintain performance.

Q: Can I use Elementor with Gutenberg?

A: Yes, Elementor and Gutenberg can coexist on the same WordPress installation. You can choose which editor to use on a page-by-page basis.

Q: What happens to my content if I deactivate Elementor?

A: If you deactivate Elementor, pages built with it will display your content in a basic format without the design elements. The content itself remains, but the layout and styling will be lost. This is why it’s important to consider Elementor a long-term solution.

Q: How often is Elementor updated?

A: Elementor typically receives major updates quarterly and minor updates monthly. The development team is very active, constantly improving features and security.

Q: Can I transfer my Elementor Pro license to another site?

A: Yes, you can deactivate your license on one site and activate it on another. The number of sites you can use simultaneously depends on your license type (Personal, Plus, Expert, etc.).

Q: Does Elementor work with multilingual websites?

A: Yes, Elementor is compatible with major translation plugins like WPML and Polylang, allowing you to create multilingual websites.

Q: Can I build my entire website with Elementor?

A: With Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder, you can design your entire website including headers, footers, archive pages, single post templates, and more. The free version limits you to designing content areas only.

If you’re just getting started with WordPress, you might also be interested in WPDive’s How to Create a Free WordPress Website Step By Step: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide In (2025).

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