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This Elementor review focuses on both free Elementor plugin and Elementor Pro. Learn the differences between both and how these are the best WordPress builders.
First Hand Experience With Elementor Pro
I’m going to admit to you right now that I’m a drag and drop WordPress freak. I love trying out new WordPress builder tools—so that I can build client’s website faster and more effective. After using Elementor Pro for some good months, it is time for me to share my personal experiencing using it in this Elementor review.
Important Disclaimer
I'm a huge fan of Thrive Architect and all my websites are build with it. Moving to Elementor Pro is definitely one of the most challenging task ever (more on this later).
This review on Elementor free and Elementor Pro (some call it Elementor Page Builder) is quite long. Before we proceed further, here are some key takeaways I want you to know about Elementor.
Elementor Review in a nutshell:
- Elementor (free version) is an excellent drag and drop builder
- The plugin is very intuitive and effective in building landing pages, customized blog posts and pages
- The true power of Elementor lies within Elementor Pro (more features, robust support)
- The free version of Elementor has limitations
- Elementor Pro is the only drag and drop WordPress builder plugin that doesn't come with lifetime updates
- Elementor doesn't play well with StudioPress child themes
And without further delaying, carry on reading below to discover the best Elementor Pro review.
What Is Elementor?
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress, which serves several purposes. You can use it to create any content layout or page layout you can imagine. Elementor is compatible with (nearly) all WordPress themes. At this point of time, Elementor is not working well with StudioPress—so if you are using StudioPress child theme like me, you are in for a big surprise.
There will be some level of glitches that you need to accept, or completely move to another theme like I do. If you want to know more about this, I recommend you to scroll down all the way down for more information.
What Does Elementor Do?
For starters, Elementor is a WordPress builder plugin. I tried installing it as a WordPress theme and it wouldn’t work 🙂
Using Elementor, you can design your own website, create any layout or import any pre-made templates in just a few clicks. Elementor is all about saving time and creating beautiful websites without coding skills.
If you used Thrive Architect, Divi or OptimizePress in the past, you would know that drag and drop website builders help you to develop WordPress faster and more importantly, extremely user-friendly (as you don’t require a single line of code).
There are many freelance web developers who are making a huge living without any coding skills. Here’s you can do that too!
So, what else can Elementor do?
- Drag and drop editor
- Responsive editing
- 300+ ready made templates
- 90+ widgets and elements
- Landing pages
- Testimonial carousal
- Google fonts
- 100% responsive
- Massive list for integrations
- Mobile font size
- Responsive columns
- Customized header and footer
- Dynamic content
- Display conditions
- Massive list for integrations
- Template library
- Maintenance mode
- Custom CSS
These are just SOME parts of what Elementor can do.
With Elementor WordPress builder, the sky is your only limit. While I’ve been using Elementor Pro for over two months, I’m still discovering many more new things about Elementor that constantly blow my mind!
It is important to understand that the free version of Elementor plugin comes with some sweet but limited features.
Here’s what it looks like on the backend (visual builder) for the free Elementor plugin.
The basic features includes:
- Heading
- Text Editor
- Button
- Video
- Video
- Divider
- Inner Section
- Image Box
- Icon List
- Star Rating
- Counter
- Progress Bar
- Basic Gallery
- Shortcode
If you can see, the Elementor free plugin is an effective WordPress builder that is extremely effective for small and new blogs, leisure bloggers and those who don’t require much from a drag and drop website builder.
Is Elementor Plugin Free?
Elementor is a free WordPress builder plugin and anyone can download it directly from it’s official website or from WordPress repository.
The free version of Elementor is free to use for life and no credit card is required. If you have not tried Elementor, I recommend you to try it as Elementor is the only free WordPress builder that is super intuitive.
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What Is Elementor Pro?
Let me start off by telling you that I get this. Seriously.
When I first downloaded Elementor, I was happy—like really, really happy. I read from many Elementor reviews from other blogs that Elementor is the best, Elementor solves all the web development challenges, etc.
The free version of Elementor plugin is GREAT if you are just starting a new blog. If you are looking for a high performance WordPress builder plugin, Elementor Pro is the ONLY way to go.
Elementor Pro takes WordPress development to who new level. As a hardcore user of Thrive Architect and Divi, I got to admit that Elementor Pro is freaking awesome to use.
This page is created with Elementor Pro, using customized single post page and footer setting that I recently created.
Elementor Pro Most Powerful Feature ...
As a paid Elementor Pro member, you are able to create global designs and save them in your theme library. This feature allows me to create customized headers, customized footers and single blog pages—and import them for every occasion I need. This saves me a lot of time and more importantly, I can easily update the entire website through the global setting (instead of going through each post and page separately).
But Thrive Architect And Divi Have This Too ...
Yes, both Thrive Architect and Divi have this feature but it is not that intuitive compared to the one in Elementor Pro.
In short, using Elementor Pro WordPress builder plugin felt MORE like a complete set of builder tool compared to its competitors.
While this part is solely my personal opinion, I hope it carries some weight as I am a huge advocate for Thrive Architect and Divi. I uses Thrive Architect for all my personal blogs while Divi is used for business (freelance website development).
Elementor Pro comes with some sick features such as:
- Posts
- Portfolio
- Gallery
- Forms
- Login
- Slides
- Animated Headline
- Navigation Menu
- Call to Action
- Flip Box
- Price Table
- Price List
- Global Settings
- Share Buttons
- Blockquote
- Countdown
Overall, Elementor Pro provides a wide range of features, including Pro templates that you can 1-click import to your WordPress site. These templates had proven to be very useful for web developers and seasoned bloggers.
Want to take a deep look into Elementor Pro?
Take a look below.
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What Is Elementor Canvas? (And Why It Matters)
According to Elementor’s blog, Elementor Canvas is a native blank page template in Elementor. Canvas works with any theme, and lets you design the entire page in Elementor. No header, no footer, just Elementor.
Wait, what?!
If you want to build a page from ground up, then Elementor Canvas is the absolute choice.
Take a look at this.
Why is Elementor Canvas an absolute game-changer for the WordPress theme development industry?
- Perfect for landing pages
- Excellent for long-form blog posts
- Easy to use
- No coding skills required
- Powerful drag and drop builder
- Integrate perfectly with Global Widgets
How Much Does Elementor Costs?
The Elementor plugin comes in two forms; free and paid plugin. The free plugin provides limited functionality and best for small websites or new bloggers.
The paid Elementor Pro offers robust features which are best used to build traffic, engagement and trust from your website visitors. You can also create highly targeted content using Elementor Pro.
Here’s the pricing strategy (and features) for both Elementor and Elementor Pro.
Elementor
Limited Features
$
0
00
Lifetime -
Drag & Drop Editor
-
300+ Designer Made Templates
-
Responsive Editing
-
Landing Pages
-
Mobile Responsive
-
Ready-Made
-
No Coding Skills Required
Download For Free
No credit card required
Elementor Pro
Feature Rich for Serious Bloggers
$
49
Yearly
-
Everything In Free Version
-
Popup Builder
-
eCommerce Builder
-
Global Widgets
-
Countdown Widget
-
Custom Forms
-
Dynamic Content
-
Premium Widgets
-
Integrations With 3rd Party Apps
Get Elementor Pro
with 30-days full refund policy
Popular
Elementor Review: Is Elementor Worth It?
With the fact that Elementor is an absolutely free drag and drop website builder plugin, there is no denial that it is definitely worth it (at least, worth your time to check it out).
The free Elementor plugin is an excellent choice for bloggers who don’t want to spend a whole of money with designing their website. At the same time, they still want to be able to develop a WordPress easily without coding skills.
At the price range of $0, the free Elementor plugin makes it one of the best drag and drop builder plugin in the market. Hands down.
Elementor Review: Is Elementor Pro Worth It?
If you are looking for a full-fledged WordPress builder plugin that kicks ass, Elementor Pro is definitely your go-to tool.
Elementor Pro offers rich features including the super important Pro templates which are killers in the market. If you are a web developer or a professional blogger, I highly recommend you to consider using Elementor Pro for your website (or client’s websites).
Bonus: Moving from StudioPress to Elementor Pro
I have been using StudioPress all my life. Parting from StudioPress is like getting a divorce. I don’t see that coming and not within the near future.
As my website takes off to new heights, I decided that I need to do something more to grow my online presence. While StudioPress is awesome, I needed more flexibility.
In other words, I am tired of using the same website design with others. I wanted something unique—and resonated closely to my brand. After a long search, I came across Elementor Pro.
The movement from StudioPress to Elementor isn’t the easiest move. For starters, one of the biggest revenue generator for this blog is Google Adsense.
When I completely make the switch from StudioPress to Elementor Pro, this is what happened to my earnings.
The earnings for Google Adsense is not that big of a “wow factor” to be honest, but being able to make anywhere between $200 to $400 a month without doing anything is definitely awesome.
Moreover, the earnings from Google Adsense is used to cover my premium WordPress hosting on WPX.
Okay, back to the story.
I reached out to the guys from WPX Hosting (my web hosting support) and WPMU Dev (cache plugin support) and we came up with a solution. A solid one to be honest.
If you are moving from any WordPress theme to Elementor, I recommend you to follow these steps.
Step 1: Choose A Lightweight WordPress Theme
Both Elementor and Elementor Pro are lightweight—and you want these plugins to work with a super lightweight WordPress theme for super fast loading speed.
StudioPress is out of the topic for compatibility issues and using Thrive Architect/Divi is definitely not the option.
After doing some research, I ended up using WP Astra (here’s a cool case study by Elementor).
Install WP Astra first, followed by installing Elementor or Elementor Pro. If you are using Elementor Pro like I do, you need to have both Elementor and Elementor Pro installed at the same time (for the plugins to work).
Step 2: Clear Your Cache
When I first changed my theme to WP Astra and Elementor Pro, I did not clear my previous cache. This single mistake of mine costs me 3 hours of additional work.
No matter what cache plugin you use, make sure you clear the cache. Seriously.
Step 3: Use Global Widgets in Elementor Pro
Changing WordPress themes is always troublesome. Even at the fastest pace, it will take me an easy 2-hours to get the job done right.
This site is massive—with over 2GB of data, close to a thousand posts and pages, this is crazy. Can you imagine how much time needed if you are going to customized each post and page?
Like forever.
With Elementor Pro, you can use Global Widgets to create customized header, footer and layouts for post and pages. Next, set up automation or conditional logic to ensure that these settings are automatically enabled on specific locations.
If you are interested to know more about Global Widgets by Elementor Pro, take a look at video for more information.
Step 4: Customize The Cache Plugin
Last but not least, customizing the cache plugin is an important step to ensure that your website is loading fast.
Most of you may be using W3TC or WP Rocket for cache plugin, but I’m using Hummingbird pro. Setting up Hummingbird Pro for Elementor is really challenging—and I recommend you to try and error to get it done right.
Here’s what it looks like after the configuration.
Why Elementor Better Than Divi?
Divi is used by professional bloggers and web developers around the world. Even I use divi for all my freelance website development on Upwork.
So, who is the clear winner when Elementor vs Divi?
The answer is this: It depends.
Here’s what you should know about Elementor and Divi.
Elementor
- A generous free version at WordPress.org
- More widgets to build your designs (if you have Elementor Pro)
- Full theme building functionality (with Elementor Pro)
- A static interface with a set sidebar
Divi Builder
- Maybe a little bit deeper styling options, though it’s pretty close
- More templates with the new Template Library
- A dynamic interface with lots of floating buttons
- Back-end editing
Elementor and Divi are great with their own advantages (and disadvantages). End of the day, it boils down to your personal preference. Personally, I would go with Elementor Pro if I am given a choice to choose as Elementor is lighter-weight compared to Divi.
Elementor Review: Do I Recommend Using Elementor?
Before I end this Elementor Review, I think is important to state my thoughts on this plugin.
Both Elementor and Elementor Pro are fine drag and drop WordPress builder. They are suitable for beginners, website developers and professional bloggers alike.
Elementor provides an upper hand compared to most drag and drop builder tools because it offers free for life usage. While it has limited capabilities, the features are sufficient for most small websites and new bloggers.
Elementor Pro on the other hand is an excellent choice to replace Thrive Architect or Divi, especially when you are looking for a lightweight and fast loading website builder.
You can take a look at some of the best examples of WordPress websites created using Elementor at BeautifulPress.
The massive integration and beautiful ready made templates makes Elementor Pro a must have especially for serious bloggers.
Reginald Chan
A meticulous entrepreneur by nature and a serial entrepreneur. Founded a few awesome startups including Marketing Lancers and ContentSix.com. He is also the founder of Fatherhood Talks and leading columnist for some large publications.
About Reginald
Young at heart and a deep passion for entrepreneurial success, Reginald is devoted to share everything he had learned about online marketing with the public. Follow him for more awesome postings.
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