Elementor Tutorial for Beginners 2025: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

What is Elementor?

Elementor is the world’s leading WordPress page builder plugin, powering over 16 million websites globally. It transforms the WordPress content creation experience from a basic text editor into a powerful visual design studio where you can see exactly what your visitors will see—in real-time.

Unlike traditional WordPress editing, Elementor uses a drag-and-drop interface that lets you place elements exactly where you want them. Whether you’re building a simple blog, a business website, or a full e-commerce store, Elementor gives you the creative control that was once reserved for professional web developers.

Why Choose Elementor?

Before diving into the tutorial, here’s why Elementor has become the go-to choice for WordPress users:

• Intuitive interface – If you can use Microsoft Word, you can use Elementor
• Live editing – No more clicking “preview” repeatedly; changes appear instantly
• Extensive widget library – 40+ free widgets covering everything from headings to forms
• Regular updates – New features and improvements released consistently
• Massive community – Millions of users, thousands of tutorials, and countless add-ons available

Getting Started: Installing Elementor

Step 1: Install the Elementor Plugin

Installing Elementor is straightforward and takes less than 2 minutes:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard
2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New
3. Search for “Elementor” in the search box
4. Click Install Now on the Elementor Website Builder plugin
5. After installation, click Activate

Once activated, you’ll see a new “Elementor” menu item in your WordPress sidebar. Elementor also adds an “Edit with Elementor” button to all your pages and posts.

Step 2: Configure Basic Settings

Before building your first page, configure these essential settings:

1. Go to Elementor → Settings
2. General tab:
   • Select which post types can use Elementor (Pages, Posts, etc.)
   • Disable default colors if you want to use your theme’s color scheme
   • Disable default fonts if preferred
3. Style tab:
   • Set default generic fonts
   • Configure content width (1140px is standard)
   • Set default widget spacing

Understanding the Elementor Interface

The Elementor editor has a clean, organized layout designed for efficiency. Let’s break down each component:

The Left Panel

This is your main control center containing:

• Widget panel – All available widgets organized by category
• Global settings – Site-wide styling options
• Page settings – Options specific to the current page
• Navigator – A tree view of all elements on your page
• History – Undo/redo functionality with revision history

The Canvas Area

The large center area is your visual canvas where you:

• Drag and drop widgets
• See live previews of your design
• Click to select and edit any element
• Rearrange sections and columns

The Bottom Bar

Contains essential tools:

• Settings icon – Page settings and document options
• Navigator icon – Toggle the element navigator
• History icon – View revision history
• Responsive mode – Preview on different devices
• Preview – See the page as visitors will
• Publish/Update – Save your changes

Core Building Blocks: Sections, Columns, and Widgets

Understanding Elementor’s structure hierarchy is essential for building well-organized pages:

Sections (Containers)

Sections are the largest building blocks—think of them as rows that span the full width of your page. Every Elementor page is built using sections stacked vertically.

Section options include:

• Full width or boxed layout
• Background colors, images, or videos
• Padding and margin controls
• Shape dividers for creative transitions
• Z-index for layering control

Columns

Columns divide sections horizontally. You can have 1 to 10 columns per section, and each column can contain multiple widgets.

Column features:

• Adjustable width percentages
• Individual background settings
• Vertical alignment options
• Custom padding and margins

Widgets

Widgets are the actual content elements—text, images, buttons, and more. They live inside columns and are what your visitors interact with.

Essential Free Widgets for Beginners

Elementor’s free version includes 40+ widgets. Here are the most important ones to master first:

Basic Widgets

Layout Widgets

Interactive Widgets

Building Your First Page: Step-by-Step

Let’s create a complete homepage from scratch. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a New Page

1. Go to Pages → Add New in WordPress
2. Give your page a title (e.g., “Home”)
3. Click Edit with Elementor

Step 2: Choose a Page Layout

Before adding content, set your page layout:

1. Click the gear icon (bottom left) to open Page Settings
2. Under Page Layout, select “Elementor Full Width” for edge-to-edge design
3. Optionally, hide the page title if your theme shows it

Step 3: Build a Hero Section

The hero section is the first thing visitors see. Here’s how to create an impactful one:

1. Click the + icon to add a new section
2. Choose a single-column structure
3. Click the section settings (six dots icon)
4. Go to Style → Background
5. Add a background image or gradient
6. Set minimum height to 80vh (80% of viewport height)
7. Add a Heading widget with your main headline
8. Add a Text Editor widget for supporting text
9. Add a Button widget for your call-to-action

Step 4: Create a Features Section

1. Add a new section with 3 columns
2. Add an Icon Box widget to each column
3. Choose relevant icons for each feature
4. Add titles and descriptions
5. Style consistently across all three boxes

Step 5: Add an About Section

1. Create a 2-column section
2. Add an Image widget in the first column
3. Add Heading and Text Editor widgets in the second column
4. Include a Button widget for “Learn More”

Step 6: Build a Testimonials Area

1. Add a full-width section with background color
2. Add a centered Heading widget (“What Our Customers Say”)
3. Create 3 columns below
4. In each column, add Image, Text Editor, and Heading widgets
5. Style to look like testimonial cards

Step 7: Create a Call-to-Action Section

1. Add a section with contrasting background
2. Center-align a compelling Heading
3. Add supporting Text
4. Include a prominent Button

Styling Your Elements

Every widget in Elementor has three tabs for customization:

Content Tab

Controls what the widget displays:

• Text content and headings
• Image selection
• Link URLs
• Icon choices

Style Tab

Controls how elements look:

• Colors (text, background, border)
• Typography (font, size, weight, line height)
• Spacing (padding, margin)
• Borders and shadows

Advanced Tab

Controls positioning and effects:

• Margin and padding
• Motion effects (entrance animations)
• Responsive visibility
• Custom CSS (Pro feature)
• Z-index for layering

Working with Colors and Typography

Setting Global Colors

Instead of setting colors individually for each element, use global colors for consistency:

1. Click the hamburger menu (top left)
2. Select Site Settings
3. Go to Global Colors
4. Set your primary, secondary, text, and accent colors
5. These colors appear in every color picker throughout Elementor

Setting Global Fonts

Similarly, set global typography:

1. In Site Settings, go to Global Fonts
2. Set fonts for Primary, Secondary, Text, and Accent
3. These become quick-select options in typography controls

Making Your Design Responsive

A crucial skill for any web designer is creating layouts that look great on all devices.

Using Responsive Mode

1. Click the responsive icon in the bottom bar
2. Select Desktop, Tablet, or Mobile view
3. Make adjustments specific to each device
4. Changes on smaller screens don’t affect larger ones

Responsive Best Practices

• Start with desktop – Design your desktop version first
• Check tablet next – Adjust column layouts and font sizes
• Fine-tune mobile – Ensure text is readable and buttons are tappable
• Test thoroughly – Preview on actual devices when possible

Common Responsive Adjustments

Using Templates and Blocks

Elementor includes a library of pre-designed templates to speed up your workflow.

Accessing the Template Library

1. Click the folder icon in the editor
2. Browse through Pages (full layouts) or Blocks (sections)
3. Use filters to find specific categories
4. Click Insert to add to your page

Types of Templates

• Pages – Complete page layouts (homepages, about, contact, etc.)
• Blocks – Individual sections (headers, CTAs, testimonials)
• My Templates – Your saved designs for reuse

Saving Your Own Templates

Save sections or entire pages for reuse:

1. Right-click on any section
2. Select Save as Template
3. Give it a descriptive name
4. Access later from My Templates tab

Essential Tips for Beginners

Tip 1: Use the Navigator

The Navigator (hamburger menu → Navigator) shows a tree view of all elements. It’s invaluable for:

• Selecting hard-to-click elements
• Reordering sections
• Understanding page structure
• Quickly navigating complex pages

Tip 2: Master Keyboard Shortcuts

Tip 3: Copy and Paste Styles

Style one element perfectly, then apply that styling to others:

1. Right-click the styled element
2. Select Copy
3. Right-click the target element
4. Select Paste Style

Tip 4: Use Right-Click Menu

Right-clicking any element reveals powerful options:

• Edit Section/Column/Widget
• Duplicate
• Copy/Paste
• Save as Template
• Delete
• Navigator

Tip 5: Preview Before Publishing

Always preview your page before publishing:

1. Click the eye icon in the bottom bar
2. Check desktop, tablet, and mobile views
3. Test all links and buttons
4. Verify loading speed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Too Many Fonts

Using more than 2-3 fonts makes your site look unprofessional and slows loading. Stick to:

• One font for headings
• One font for body text
• Optionally, one accent font for special elements

Mistake 2: Ignoring Mobile

Over 50% of web traffic is mobile. Always check and optimize your mobile layout.

Mistake 3: Overusing Animations

Subtle animations enhance user experience; excessive animations are distracting. Use motion effects sparingly.

Mistake 4: Not Using Global Styles

Setting colors and fonts individually makes future changes tedious. Use global settings from the start.

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Save

Elementor doesn’t auto-save. Press Ctrl/Cmd + S regularly or click Update frequently.

When to Upgrade to Elementor Pro

The free version is powerful, but consider Pro if you need:

• Theme Builder – Design headers, footers, and archive pages
• WooCommerce Builder – Custom shop and product pages
• Popup Builder – Create marketing popups
• Form Builder – Advanced forms with integrations
• Dynamic Content – Display content from custom fields
• Motion Effects – Advanced animations and parallax
• 50+ Pro Widgets – Slides, pricing tables, call to action, and more

For most beginners, start with the free version. Upgrade when you hit its limitations.

Next Steps After This Tutorial

Now that you understand Elementor basics, here’s how to continue learning:

1. Build practice pages – Create sample pages to experiment with different layouts
2. Study successful websites – Analyze sites you admire and try to recreate elements
3. Explore the template library – See how professional templates are structured
4. Join the community – Facebook groups and forums offer tips and support
5. Watch video tutorials – YouTube has thousands of Elementor tutorials for specific techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elementor free to use?

Yes, Elementor offers a powerful free version with 40+ widgets and essential features. Elementor Pro adds advanced features like theme building, WooCommerce integration, and 50+ additional widgets starting at $59/year.

Do I need coding knowledge to use Elementor?

No coding is required. Elementor’s visual drag-and-drop interface lets you build complete websites without writing any code. Advanced users can add custom CSS for additional styling if desired.

Will Elementor slow down my website?

Elementor is well-optimized and continuously improving performance. For best results, use quality hosting, optimize images, and use a caching plugin. Avoid installing too many third-party Elementor add-ons.

Can I use Elementor with any WordPress theme?

Elementor works with most WordPress themes. However, it works best with themes designed for compatibility like Hello Elementor (free, made by Elementor), Astra, GeneratePress, or OceanWP.

How do I make my Elementor site mobile-friendly?

Use Elementor’s built-in responsive mode to customize layouts for tablet and mobile. Click the responsive icon in the bottom bar to switch between device views and make device-specific adjustments.

Can I import/export Elementor designs?

Yes, you can export templates and import them on other sites. Right-click any section, select Save as Template, then export from the My Templates library. This is great for using the same designs across multiple projects.

What’s the difference between Elementor and Gutenberg?

Gutenberg is WordPress’s built-in block editor with basic functionality. Elementor is a dedicated page builder with advanced design features, more widgets, live editing, and greater customization options. Many users use both—Gutenberg for blog posts and Elementor for landing pages.

How do I get support if I’m stuck?

Free users can access Elementor’s documentation and community forums. Pro users get priority support through the Elementor website. Additionally, Facebook groups and YouTube tutorials cover almost every question imaginable.