Creating a visually stunning, professional website without any coding knowledge can be a daunting task. But for WordPress users, page builders like Elementor Pro make that job incredibly easy. Whether you’re a beginner, developer, or designer, Elementor Pro allows you to build responsive and visually appealing websites using a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Offering a robust set of tools and customization options, Elementor Pro has become one of the most popular page builders in the WordPress ecosystem. From its free version to its premium features, Elementor Pro continues to be a favorite for anyone serious about website design. This article dives into its functionalities, comparing the free and pro versions to help you decide whether the upgrade is worth it.
Overview of Elementor Pro
Elementor was launched in 2016 and quickly gained traction due to its user-friendly design and ability to create complex layouts without requiring any coding. With over 11 million users and more than 5,000 five-star reviews on WordPress.org, it’s clear that Elementor has struck a chord with website builders.
Elementor Pro takes the platform a step further by adding advanced features, making it an excellent option for professionals and serious website owners. The plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress, offering a drag-and-drop builder that lets you edit your site in real time. You can create everything from landing pages to entire websites, adjusting every aspect from fonts and colors to animations and background effects. Its versatility makes it a great choice for personal blogs, portfolios, business websites, eCommerce stores, and more.
Features
Elementor Pro packs a wide range of features aimed at giving users full control over every element on their websites. Some of the most noteworthy tools include:
1. Theme Builder
The Theme Builder allows you to edit various parts of your site beyond individual pages. This includes headers, footers, single post layouts, and archive pages. The freedom to design all these elements from scratch gives you full creative control and helps maintain design consistency across your site.
2. WooCommerce Builder
For eCommerce websites, the WooCommerce Builder offers comprehensive tools to customize product pages, checkout pages, and cart layouts. This is particularly useful for online store owners who want to create a unique shopping experience without hiring a developer.
3. Form Builder
Elementor Pro’s form builder allows you to create all kinds of forms (contact, registration, etc.) with drag-and-drop ease. It integrates with popular marketing and CRM tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and ActiveCampaign, making it a great tool for lead generation.
4. Global Widgets
With Global Widgets, you can reuse custom-designed elements across your site. Simply design a widget once, save it, and place it wherever you want. Any updates to the widget will automatically be reflected everywhere it appears.
5. Advanced Motion Effects
Elementor Pro also comes with advanced motion effects, which allow you to create engaging and interactive websites. These include scrolling effects, mouse effects, animations, and entrance animations, all of which enhance the user experience and make your website stand out.
6. Pop-up Builder
The Pop-up Builder allows you to create highly customized pop-ups for your site. You can use it for promotions, email subscriptions, and more. What sets Elementor Pro apart here is the ability to design pop-ups with the same tools you use to design pages.
7. Custom CSS
While Elementor Pro prides itself on being a code-free platform, advanced users can take advantage of its Custom CSS feature. This allows developers to add custom styles for even more granular control over the site’s appearance.
8. Dynamic Content
For those running more complex websites with frequently changing content, Elementor Pro supports Dynamic Content, which automatically pulls information from your site’s database to populate areas of the website. This is particularly useful for blogs, news websites, or online stores.
9. Full Site Kits
Elementor Pro offers pre-built Full Site Kits, which include all essential components of a website—headers, footers, page templates, and more. This is a great starting point for those who want a quick setup but still want the freedom to customize the design.
Elementor Pro vs. Free Version
One of the key questions users have is whether to stick with the free version of Elementor or upgrade to Elementor Pro. Here’s a breakdown of the primary differences:
Free Version:
- Basic Widgets and Templates: Elementor’s free version includes 40+ basic widgets like text, image, video, and button elements. You also get access to a limited number of page templates.
- Responsive Design Tools: Even the free version offers responsive design options, allowing users to make sure their site looks good on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: The free version comes with a robust visual editor that allows you to create web pages in real time.
- Basic Styling Options: You can customize backgrounds, margins, and padding, but the customization options are limited compared to the Pro version.
Pro Version:
- Advanced Widgets: Elementor Pro unlocks 60+ advanced widgets like forms, sliders, social media integrations, and WooCommerce elements.
- Theme Builder and WooCommerce Builder: With Pro, you gain full control over your website’s design, including its headers, footers, and WooCommerce pages.
- Marketing and CRM Integrations: The Pro version integrates with email marketing platforms and CRMs, allowing you to streamline your lead generation efforts.
- Global Widgets and Custom CSS: These features give Pro users more control and reusability over their design elements.
- Pop-up Builder and Motion Effects: The ability to create interactive pop-ups and add motion effects gives Pro users the edge in building more dynamic websites.
- Advanced Support and Updates: Elementor Pro users get premium support and frequent updates, ensuring their website stays secure and functional.
While the free version is ideal for those starting out or building a simple website, Elementor Pro unlocks a full suite of tools for professionals who need more flexibility and customization.
Pro vs. Free: Which One Is for You?
Choosing between Elementor Pro and its free counterpart depends on your needs and the complexity of your website. Here’s a closer look at who might benefit most from each version:
Free Version:
- Ideal for Basic Websites: If you’re creating a simple website like a blog, portfolio, or personal page, the free version may be sufficient. The free Elementor provides enough functionality for most beginners and non-tech-savvy users.
- Good for Testing the Platform: If you’re unsure whether Elementor is the right page builder for you, the free version serves as a good entry point to explore its capabilities.
Pro Version:
- Best for Advanced Users and Businesses: For businesses, agencies, or anyone building websites professionally, Elementor Pro is the best choice. The ability to fully customize WooCommerce stores, design custom headers and footers, and integrate with email marketing platforms makes it worth the investment.
- Ideal for eCommerce: If you run an online store and want to customize every aspect of the user experience, including product pages and checkout pages, Elementor Pro’s WooCommerce Builder is essential.
- Design Freedom: For those who want to push the boundaries of their design, Pro’s advanced tools like the Pop-up Builder, Custom CSS, and motion effects are indispensable.
Conclusion
Elementor Pro continues to revolutionize the way websites are built on WordPress, offering a powerful, intuitive interface for creating visually stunning and fully functional websites. Whether you’re a beginner looking to create your first website or a seasoned developer wanting more control, Elementor Pro offers tools and features that cater to all levels of expertise.
While the free version offers plenty of functionality for those just starting, Elementor Pro unlocks an advanced suite of tools that are necessary for those serious about building custom websites, eCommerce platforms, and more. From the Theme Builder to the WooCommerce Builder, Elementor Pro is a valuable investment for anyone looking to design a professional-grade website without touching a line of code.
Ultimately, if you’re running a business, managing an online store, or providing web development services, the upgrade to Elementor Pro is a smart move. Its range of advanced features, coupled with its ease of use, makes Elementor Pro one of the best page builders available in 2024.