Last updated on December 19th, 2023 at 10:16 am
Is Elementor Good for WordPress? Learn about the features, pros, and cons of using Elementor as a page builder for your WordPress website.
Is Elementor Good for WordPress?
Website development for WordPress has seen a surge in popularity, with users constantly seeking the most efficient and user-friendly builders. Elementor has emerged as a powerful contender in this arena, known for its versatility and feature-rich platform.
If you’ve tried to build your own WordPress website, you’ve undoubtedly come across the Elementor plugin. Touting a no-code approach to website building, Elementor has become incredibly popular over the last few years and beginners can certainly create a website with Elementor.
Introduction
In the vast landscape of website builders for WordPress, choosing the right one can significantly impact your online presence. This article delves into the question: Is Elementor a good builder for WordPress?
What is Elementor?
Elementor, a highly acclaimed WordPress page builder that was first introduced in 2016, has gained immense popularity due to its user-friendly approach and innovative features. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Elementor allows users to effortlessly design and customize their websites according to their preferences.
The base Elementor plugin is free, which likely contributes to it’s wide popularity. However, the paid version of Elementor, which is really just an extension of the free version, offers a tremendous number of additional features.
Pros of Using Elementor
Let’s take a look at the main reasons people flock to Elementor as their page builder of choice.
User-Friendly Interface
One of Elementor’s standout features is its intuitive interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers. The drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the design process, allowing users to create visually appealing pages without coding expertise.
Extensive Customization Options
Elementor provides a wide array of customization options, allowing users to tweak every aspect of their website’s design. From fonts and colors to layout structures, the level of control provided misses nothing – every single element can be modified.
Drag-and-Drop Functionality
The drag-and-drop feature sets Elementor apart, enabling users to effortlessly arrange and organize page elements. This functionality enhances the creative process, giving users the freedom to experiment with different layouts seamlessly.
Compatibility with Other Plugins and Themes
Elementor integrates seamlessly with various WordPress themes and plugins, providing flexibility in design and functionality. This compatibility ensures that users can incorporate additional features without compromising the builder’s performance.
Cons of Using Elementor
While Elementor has power, that power can come at a price when it comes to performance, learning curves, etc… Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Learning Curve for Beginners
While Elementor is user-friendly, beginners may face a learning curve as they explore the platform’s extensive features. However, the curve is generally short-lived, and the intuitive nature of Elementor compensates for the initial challenges.
One challenge using Elementor for beginners is that sometimes beginners learn Elementor without learning the inner workings of WordPress. This can result in a lopsided focus on design while back end items like security & performance get neglected.
Overreliance on Shortcodes
Some users express concerns about Elementor’s use of shortcodes, as this may potentially complicate the process of switching to another builder in the future. However, Elementor’s widespread usage and support make this less of a practical issue for most users.
It’s important to note however, that if you want to stop using Elementor, there’s a good chance you’ll have to rebuild all of your pages. In general, you can’t just remove the plugin and make a few changes to get your site looking right again.
Impact on Website Speed
Critics argue that extensive use of Elementor’s features might impact website speed. However, with proper optimization and caching, the impact is often negligible, and the benefits in design flexibility outweigh this concern.
Elementor’s code can tend to be a bit more bloated than websites built without a page builder. This is due to all of the features Elementor offers. By making use of good caching practices and general optimization concepts, you can mitigate the impact on speed that might be experienced as a result of Elementor.
Elementor vs. Other Builders
In comparing Elementor with other popular builders like Divi and Beaver Builder, Elementor stands out for its comprehensive feature set and ease of use. Each builder has its strengths, but Elementor’s combination of functionality and user accessibility makes it a compelling choice.
Other alternatives to Elementor include Oxygen (if you know code) and Breakdance.
Elementor for Different Purposes
Elementor can be used for all kinds of websites. Businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce are all on the menu.
Suitable for Bloggers
Bloggers appreciate Elementor’s ease of use for creating visually appealing and engaging content. The ability to showcase content in unique layouts enhances the overall reader experience.
Ideal for E-commerce Websites
E-commerce websites benefit from Elementor’s customizable product pages and seamless integration with popular e-commerce plugins. The builder’s flexibility allows for a tailored shopping experience.
Versatility in Design Options
Whether creating a portfolio, landing page, or corporate website, Elementor offers design versatility. Its adaptability makes it a go-to choice for a wide range of website types.
Elementor and SEO
How Elementor Impacts Website SEO
Elementor, when used correctly, does not adversely affect SEO. In fact, its customizable features and clean code output contribute positively to search engine rankings.
Granted you still have to create good content in order to have success with SEO, Elementor still won’t slow you down.
Best Practices for Optimizing Elementor-built Sites
Implementing best practices, such as optimizing images, utilizing proper heading tags, and minimizing unnecessary scripts, ensures that Elementor-built sites maintain optimal SEO performance.
Consider using a web host that offers high speed hosting and good caching. CDN tools such as Cloudflare can also make a huge difference in your site loading speed.
Addressing Common Concerns
Security Issues
Elementor gets patched frequently for security issues. In fact, several high-severity vulnerabilities in Elementor have been exposed over the past few years and the development team has always been quick to patch them once discovered.
Elementor maintains a strong focus on security. Regular updates and adherence to best coding practices contribute to a secure website-building environment.
Plugin Conflicts
While rare, conflicts with other plugins can occur. Staying informed about plugin compatibility and promptly updating plugins helps mitigate potential issues.
Elementor is a large plugin that affects every nook and cranny of your website, so plugin conflicts can be expected from time to time. You should only use the plugins you need.
Long-term Sustainability
Elementor’s widespread usage and commitment to ongoing development indicate its long-term sustainability. Users can confidently build and maintain their websites with Elementor.
Final Thoughts
Elementor proves to be a robust and user-friendly builder for WordPress. Its versatility, extensive customization options, and ongoing development make it a strong contender for individuals and businesses seeking an efficient website-building solution.
