In the event you’ve spent hours designing a WordPress web site in your small enterprise, you realize this: getting it to look excellent can really feel like placing collectively a jigsaw puzzle — one the place half the items are lacking.
That’s why Elementor has grow to be a lifesaver for numerous web site homeowners.
Now for the actual query: is the free model sufficient? Or do you want Professional to unlock your web site’s full potential?
After testing Elementor’s limits, studying by way of subreddits full of consumer questions, and seeing how totally different websites work with both model, we have now to say that the choice comes right down to your particular wants (ugh, I do know, proper?)
That can assist you determine, we’ll evaluate the options, strengths, and limitations of each Elementor Free vs. Professional so you may skip the guesswork and begin your net design course of.
Let’s bounce in!
What Is Elementor?
Elementor is likely one of the hottest WordPress web site builders round right now. It’s extensively used amongst web site homeowners and net designers for these causes:
- Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor permits you to create customized layouts for pages and posts. With Elementor, you may customise your web site with out studying to code. Nevertheless, even in case you’re a developer or skilled WordPress consumer, there’s nonetheless loads to realize from utilizing the plugin.
- With Elementor, you received’t have to fret concerning the plugin slowing down your web site. It’s optimized for velocity and repeatedly releases new variations to enhance efficiency.
Doesn’t WordPress already provide a web site builder?
Nicely, technically, sure. The WordPress Full Website Editor is a web page builder that’s constructed into the WordPress core. It simplifies the method of making and customizing posts and pages inside your editor.
Alas, the default WordPress editor doesn’t provide almost as many options as Elementor.
Through the use of the web page builder, you’ll get entry to extra customization choices than you in any other case would utilizing solely the WordPress Full Website Editor.
What Are the Advantages of Utilizing Elementor?
Why achieve this many customers swear by Elementor? Let’s take a look at its standout advantages by way of the lens of constructing a web site in your small enterprise.
1. Intuitive Interface
Think about you’re establishing a homepage in your small enterprise web site. You could possibly rent a developer, however with Elementor, you don’t need to.
Anybody can create modern, professional-looking pages utilizing its drag-and-drop editor with out writing a single line of code. You possibly can spotlight your companies, showcase buyer testimonials, and add gorgeous visuals — all by yourself.
2. Actual-Time Previews
As you construct your homepage, each change you make will probably be up to date immediately in Elementor’s editor. You received’t need to toggle between the backend and a preview window.
Wish to tweak the format of your hero part or regulate the colour scheme for a seasonal promotion? You’ll see your modifications stay, saving time and guaranteeing every thing appears excellent.
3. Widgets for Each Want
Your small enterprise web site wants extra than simply textual content and pictures. Elementor supplies a strong library of widgets that will help you create partaking content material.
Widget
WordPress widgets can add options to your web site’s sidebars, footers, or different areas. Some default WordPress widgets are Classes, Tag cloud, Search, Navigation Menu, Calendar, and Current Posts.
Add a contact type so prospects can attain out, show a gallery of your merchandise, or embody an FAQ part to handle frequent queries. These widgets make your web site useful and user-friendly.
4. Time-Saving Templates
Don’t have the time to design every web page from scratch? The templates offered by Elementor offer you an important place to begin.
Choose a format in your “About Us” web page, customise it with your online business’s story, and match the colours to your model.
You too can save your designs as templates to reuse throughout a number of pages, offering you consistency all through your web site, no matter the WordPress theme.
5. Cellular Optimization
53% of all web site visitors comes from telephones, so your small enterprise web site must work completely properly on cell.
Elementor’s responsive design instruments make it simple to optimize your web site for cell gadgets. For example, you may conceal much less important sections on cell to maintain your homepage targeted and fast-loading for customers on cell gadgets.
6. web optimization Integration
Your web site’s design shouldn’t come at the price of search engine visibility.
With Elementor’s compatibility with search engine marketing (web optimization) plugins like Yoast web optimization, you may optimize your pages whereas designing them.
web optimization
Search Engine Optimization (web optimization) is the apply of bettering a web site’s rating in search outcomes. Search outcomes are aggregated primarily based on numerous components, together with a web site’s relevance and high quality. Optimizing your web site for these components may also help enhance your rankings.
Add key phrases to your content material, optimize picture alt textual content, and construction your web site for higher rankings — all throughout the identical workflow.
7. Newbie-Pleasant Studying Instruments
In the event you’re new to web site constructing, Elementor presents built-in tutorials and documentation to information you.
From establishing your first web page to mastering superior options like popups, these assets make sure you’re by no means caught.
You’ll really feel assured managing your web site, creating touchdown pages, and making updates as your online business grows.
A Fast Overview of Elementor Free vs. Professional
| Function | Free Model | Professional Model |
| Fundamental Widgets | 40+ widgets | 90+ skilled widgets |
| Templates | 30+ fundamental templates | Full template library |
| WooCommerce Integration | Fundamental | Superior retailer builder |
| Theme Customization | Restricted | Full web site enhancing |
| Assist | Neighborhood | Premium 24/7 |
| Pop-up Builder | ❌ | ✅ |
| International Widgets | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customized CSS | ❌ | ✅ |
Value: Elementor Free stays at $0, whereas Elementor Professional begins at $59/12 months.
As with all freemium software or service, the paid model presents extra options and instruments. That mentioned, the free Elementor plugin is a sturdy software with numerous components and options to boost your web site.
The primary distinction between Elementor Free vs. Professional is that the paid model supplies you with extra widgets, premium help, and a full template library.
This will not be a problem even in case you’re a freelancer, small enterprise proprietor, or startup. For instance, you might want the free model as a result of the choices will probably be much less overwhelming. Plus, you received’t have to fret concerning the paid license hurting your price range.
That mentioned, let’s take a better take a look at every.
Within the following sections, we’ll discover Elementor Free’s options, together with its professionals and cons, after which do the identical for Elementor Professional.
Elementor Free: Options, Professionals, and Cons
Elementor is a number one website-building platform within the WordPress group. It may be utilized by everybody, from freshmen to skilled builders. It boasts an intuitive visible builder that allows you to management each side of your pages.
The most effective half is you could add, customise, and modify components with out touching a single line of code. Let’s discover a number of the particular options that you need to use.
Function: Over 40 Free Widgets
Elementor supplies greater than 40 free widgets that you need to use to construct your skilled web site.
A few of the hottest Elementor Widgets embody:
- Heading
- Picture
- Video
- Button
- Picture Field
- Icon
- Picture Gallery and Carousel
- Progress Bar
- Toggle
- Accordion
That is just the start. All the weather you would want for constructing fundamental pages in your web site are included with the free plugin.
Plus, you may simply insert them utilizing the intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
Function: Stay Drag-and-Drop Editor
Top-of-the-line options of the Elementor web page builder is the stay drag-and-drop theme editor. The clever interface permits you to seamlessly add, customise, and transfer components and modules in your pages.
You possibly can create numerous layouts, after which insert any of the free widgets out there from the Widget Library. Throughout the Elementor editor, you may simply edit and customise the settings of every widget by merely clicking on it.
Then a panel will open that allows you to configure the varied controls in addition to change the typography, colours, spacing, and so on.
With the ability to see the modifications you’re making in actual time can improve the site-building expertise. You received’t need to waste time “previewing” your modifications on the entrance finish of your web site such as you would in case you had been solely utilizing the WordPress editor.
The drag-and-drop editor permits you to create distinct pages with various layouts that match the intent of that specific web page.
It’s extremely simple to make use of, which makes it an important choice for people who find themselves new to web site design.
The editor additionally features a “Navigator” — a function that helps you seamlessly change between sections and inside sections of your web page designs. The panel shows all components and widgets on the web page so you may transfer about and prepare them with ease.
Function: Reusable Templates
Elementor presents an expansive template library. These pre-built layouts offer you the inspiration wanted to create your pages with ease. With the free model, you will have entry to greater than 30 templates.
This contains choices for standard pages, similar to your homepage, contact, and “About Us” pages. Elementor permits you to create customized layouts and designs, providing you with extra flexibility than many different choices. One other helpful function is that it permits you to create reusable templates.
This protects you time by eliminating the necessity to begin from scratch each time you wish to design a web page that’s just like one you have already got. You should use the reusable templates on any web page.
That is actually useful if you wish to create a constant appear and feel in your web site or if it’s essential to create a number of pages which have the identical format. Then, select from the library of widgets so as to add further performance to your pages, similar to contact varieties, social media icons, and maps.
Function: Web site Kits
One other ingredient that units Elementor other than different web page builder instruments is its web site kits. The free model comes with 5 of them.
These web site kits assist you design each side of your web site.
Much like starter websites, the templates can be utilized on any web page and make it simple to customise the important pages of your web site, together with the homepage, weblog posts, and 404 pages.
Elementor Free: Professionals and Cons
One of many most important benefits of Elementor is you could obtain and use it without cost. You get entry to the entire options we simply mentioned with out having to spend a dime.
Additionally it is extremely simple to put in and use. As soon as activated, you may entry the “Edit With Elementor” button on any web page or put up inside WordPress.
However the draw back is that you simply don’t get as many options as you’ll with the Professional model. For instance, you received’t be capable to use the entire templates from the Elementor library, nor will you get premium help.
The excellent news is that in case you begin utilizing the plugin and discover that you’d profit from these additional add-ons, you all the time have the choice to improve instantly out of your WordPress dashboard.
Elementor Professional: Options, Professionals, and Cons
The free Elementor plugin will not be missing in options. The Professional model, nevertheless, presents some further options not included within the free model.
With a paid license, you get limitless entry to the template library. This can be a bonus for big web sites which are continuously including new pages with distinctive necessities.
The drag-and-drop builder additionally permits you to edit all areas of your web site, together with the header and footer. You too can design archive and single put up pages. You possibly can construct customized put up sort templates and add dynamic content material from customized fields from plugins similar to Superior Customized Fields.
Function: Popup Builder
One other distinctive function of Elementor Professional is the “Popup Builder.” This software permits you to create all kinds of popups, together with lead seize and subscription varieties, exit intents, advert banners, and extra:
The Popup Builder permits you to show the ingredient on particular pages utilizing sure predefined parameters and triggers. You too can configure it to seem primarily based on guests’ actions, similar to clicking on a button. It additionally permits you to regulate the way it shows, similar to in fullscreen mode, a slide-in impact, or positioned on the backside of the display.
Function: WooCommerce Retailer Builder
One other function that you simply get with Elementor Professional that you simply don’t have entry to with the free plugin is the WooCommerce Retailer Builder. Elementor Professional supplies WooCommerce-specific widgets that simplify the method of designing and personalizing your storefront:
This contains widgets for:
- Add To Cart Button
- Product Value
- Product Title & Description
- Product Score
- Breadcrumbs
- Upsells
- Product Inventory
This function makes it simple to construct and customise each a part of your on-line store. You should use the visible editor to construct your single product web page, archive product web page, and different retailer components.
As with the widgets included with the free plugin, you may simply drag and drop the weather wherever on the web page. Then you need to use the editor panel to the left to configure the settings. Word that these widgets are solely out there when you will have WooCommerce put in and activated in your web site.
Function: International Widgets
Elementor Professional customers additionally get entry to International widgets. This function permits you to create a widget and set it to International, that means that any change you make to the person widget will probably be utilized to some other place it’s used in your web site.
This may also help you save plenty of time. For instance, in case you added a name to motion (CTA) widget and wished to alter the typography of its colours, you wouldn’t need to edit it on every web page that you simply positioned it on. You possibly can merely edit it as soon as, after which the modifications will mechanically apply throughout all situations of it in your web site.
Elementor Professional Options:
As well as, Elementor Professional options embody:
- Unique Professional Kits
- Superior movement results
- Theme Builder
- Dynamic content material
- Advertising and marketing automation and Buyer Relationship Administration (CRM) integrations
- Over 90 skilled widgets
- Customized CSS and customized code
- Premium help
The draw back to Elementor Professional is that it’s essential to pay a premium license. Pricing for the paid plugin begins at $59 per 12 months. This contains all Elementor options, premium help, and extra “Web site Kits.”
Additionally, take into account that you might not want all the options that include Elementor Professional. If a lot of the settings and extras seem pointless, a paid license may not be a worthwhile funding.
Elementor Free vs. Professional: Often Requested Questions
It’s in all probability truthful to say that by now you realize the distinction between Elementor Free and Professional. However to verify we’ve coated all important features, let’s wrap up with some ceaselessly requested questions.
What’s the most important distinction between Elementor Free and Elementor Professional?
The primary distinction between Elementor Free and Professional is the variety of templates and widgets you get entry to. There are many options out there with the free plugin. Nevertheless, in case you’re in search of a extra expansive set that features tremendous area of interest choices, you would possibly wish to go for Elementor Professional.
Can you employ the Theme Builder with each variations?
The Theme Builder is accessible with each Elementor Free and Professional. However, Professional permits you to customise each side of your theme, together with the header and footer. With the free plugin, you’re restricted to your WordPress theme’s limitations.
Is help included with the free Elementor plugin?
Premium help is barely included with Elementor Professional. This contains 24/7 help out there by way of your dashboard. Even so, the free model has quite a few assets, tutorials, and documentation that will help you.
Does Elementor work with all WordPress themes?
Sure, Elementor is appropriate with all WordPress themes (with respect to the requirements set by WordPress Codex). This contains options such because the Theme Builder.
Can I take advantage of Elementor to create my very own theme?
You possibly can edit and customise each side of your theme utilizing Elementor. You too can entry pre-made Elementor templates. However you may solely import or export whole themes with all of their elements.
Is it essential to have each Elementor Free and Professional?
You possibly can actually use Elementor Free as a standalone plugin. In the event you decide to improve to Elementor Professional, you’ll first want to put in the fundamental model.
Is Elementor Professional price it?
At this level, hopefully, you will have a greater understanding of Elementor Free vs. Professional. The free plugin comes with every thing it’s essential to construct a stupendous web site and improve your conversion charge.
For these in search of extra superior options and performance, the paid model could also be properly well worth the cash. Elementor Professional might be significantly useful in case you have an internet retailer and need limitless entry to the WooCommerce-specific widgets.
Do not forget that you don’t want to start out with Elementor Professional, particularly in case you’ve by no means used the plugin earlier than. You possibly can all the time begin with the free model to see whether or not it’s one thing you’d wish to decide to. In the event you take pleasure in utilizing it and assume it might be price upgrading to unlock limitless entry, switching to the premium model is fast and straightforward!
Elementor Free vs. Professional: Which One Is Higher for You?
Elementor is a robust software. No matter which model you select, you’ll be capable to leverage it to simplify and streamline constructing and designing your web site pages.
Select Elementor Free if:
- You’re a freelancer or a small enterprise with fundamental wants, like a weblog, portfolio, or informational web site. For instance, in case you’re a photographer showcasing your work or a yoga teacher sharing schedules and updates, Free supplies all of the necessities.
- Price range is your high precedence, and also you’re okay with fewer customization choices.
- Superior options like dynamic content material or WooCommerce-specific widgets aren’t essential to your objectives.
Go for Elementor Professional if:
- You’re operating an internet retailer or a rising enterprise with a necessity for superior instruments. For example, Professional is ideal for e-commerce websites requiring WooCommerce widgets, like including product galleries or customized checkout pages.
- You need full artistic management, similar to designing distinctive headers, footers, or touchdown pages tailor-made to particular campaigns or promotions.
- Your corporation closely depends on lead era or interactive components. Options just like the Popup Builder, international widgets, and customized CSS could make your web site stand out whereas saving effort and time.
We suggest beginning with the free model to strive it. Plus, in case you do determine to improve, Elementor presents a 30-day money-back assure, so you may all the time strive the Professional model for a month earlier than deciding to proceed or not.
Spin Up a Testing Surroundings and Attempt Elementor Your self
Whenever you’re new to web site design, you’re probably in search of a user-friendly answer that’s inexpensive and helps you create your pages shortly. Happily, a web site builder plugin similar to Elementor may also help.
As we mentioned on this put up, Elementor is a robust WordPress software that allows you to simply construct and customise pages in your web site with out touching a line of code.
Whereas Elementor Professional offers you limitless entry to its full suite of options and templates, the free model is greater than sufficient to offer you a greater expertise for constructing and designing your web site!
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