How To ...

Why WordPress?

Let’s start with WordPress. You might be wondering, “Why should I use WordPress when there are so many website builders out there?” Good question!

WordPress is like the Swiss Army knife of website platforms—it can do almost anything. Whether you want to run a blog, build a store, or showcase your services, WordPress gives you the flexibility to do it all. Over 40% of websites on the internet are built on WordPress, which means it’s not only powerful but also widely supported. It’s open-source, meaning anyone can contribute to it, and you can customize it as much or as little as you want. This makes it a great choice for businesses of all sizes because you can start simple and scale up when you need more features.

When I first started working with WordPress, I remember being blown away by how much control it gives you over every part of your website. Unlike other platforms that box you into templates, WordPress lets you build exactly what you want—and that’s where Elementor comes in.

What Is Elementor?

Now, let’s talk about Elementor. Imagine you’ve got WordPress up and running—it’s like having a blank canvas. You’ve got the foundation, but how do you actually build a beautiful website on top of it? That’s where Elementor steps in.

Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress. Think of it like playing with LEGO blocks—except instead of building houses and spaceships, you’re building web pages. With Elementor, you don’t need to know any code. You can simply drag things like text, images, and buttons onto your page, then customize them right there in front of you. It’s visual, so you can see exactly what your site will look like while you’re building it.

I remember working with a client who had no technical background but wanted full control over their website’s look and feel. Elementor was a game-changer for them. They were able to design pages exactly how they envisioned, without needing to call me every time they wanted to make a small change.

Step 1: Setting Up WordPress

Choosing a Web Host

Before we get into Elementor, we need to get your WordPress website up and running. This starts with choosing a web host. A web host is like renting land for your website to live on the internet. There are tons of hosts out there, but for beginners, I recommend using managed hosting. You could just use the Elementor hosting package. That’s what I do quite often. Other services include Bluehost, SiteGround, or WP Engine. They’re optimized for WordPress and make things simple.

Installing WordPress

Most hosts offer 1-click WordPress installation, which makes this part easy. Once you’ve signed up for hosting, you’ll find a button somewhere in your hosting dashboard that says something like “Install WordPress.” Click that, follow the prompts (such as creating a username and password), and in a few minutes, you’ll have a basic WordPress site live on the web.

• Tip: When setting up WordPress, make sure your username isn’t something obvious like “admin.” Go with something more unique to make it harder for hackers to guess.

Once that’s done, you’ll be taken to your WordPress Dashboard, which is where the magic happens.

Step 2: Installing Elementor

Now that WordPress is set up, let’s install Elementor to start designing your site.

1. Go to Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for Elementor: In the search bar, type “Elementor.” When you see it pop up, click Install and then Activate.
3. Start Editing with Elementor: Once activated, you’ll see a new button labeled Edit with Elementor when you create or edit a page. This will open up the Elementor interface, which is like your design workspace. From here, you can start adding elements like images, text blocks, videos, and buttons simply by dragging them onto the page.

• Pro Tip: Elementor offers templates, which are pre-designed layouts you can use if you don’t want to start from scratch. They’re a huge time-saver and can be customized to fit your style.

Step 3: Should You Upgrade to Elementor Pro?

Why Go Pro?

1. More Templates & Widgets: The free version of Elementor gives you a good amount of flexibility, but Elementor Pro unlocks a ton more templates and widgets. Widgets are the building blocks of your website—things like contact forms, sliders, and pricing tables. If you’re running a business and want to build professional-looking landing pages quickly, these extra widgets can save you a lot of time.
2. Theme Builder: Elementor Pro comes with a Theme Builder, which lets you customize the overall look of your website, including headers, footers, and blog post layouts. With the free version, you’re stuck with whatever your theme provides.
3. Marketing Features: If you’re serious about growing your business, Elementor Pro offers features like pop-up builders for lead generation, and integrates with tools like Mailchimp and HubSpot. This helps you build your email list and convert visitors into customers.

Why Stick with Free?

1. Cost: Elementor Pro is affordable for most, but if you’re just starting out and don’t need all the advanced features, the free version might be all you need. It’s perfect for small websites or personal blogs.
2. Simplicity: If your website is going to be simple—like a one-page site or a blog—the free version of Elementor is more than enough. You don’t need to overcomplicate things.

Step 4: Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Them

1. Elementor Not Loading Properly: This happens sometimes if you have a slow internet connection or conflicts with other plugins. Try disabling any plugins that aren’t essential, and make sure both WordPress and Elementor are up to date.
2. Design Looks Different on Mobile: Elementor has a built-in responsive mode where you can preview how your design looks on mobile and tablet. Always check this, as sometimes designs that look great on desktop need a few tweaks for mobile devices.

Final Thoughts

Setting up WordPress with Elementor is like building your dream home—it starts with a solid foundation (WordPress) and then you get to play with the fun stuff (Elementor) to make it look amazing. Whether you’re using the free version or splurging on Elementor Pro, the key is to experiment, learn, and keep improving.

I’ve been where you are, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there. But trust me—once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly empowering to have control over your website. And who knows, that little website you build today could become a major part of your business tomorrow.

Good luck, and have fun creating!