Why I started using the Elementor WordPress page builder plugin

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In this article I’m going to make a bold confession, as I discuss my conversion to the Elementor WordPress page builder plugin and why I believe it will win and dominate all other page builders. Plus I’ll share my strategy, the how I use Elementor and with what themes.

If you’re looking for info on the Genesis Pro Page Builder, you should read this article here: https://wpmantis.com/wp-engine-launches-new-wordpress-page-builder-genesis-pro

The Confession

It’s really no secret that I have never been a fan of page builders. In fact, you can probably find several articles where I complain about their bulk and bloat. How they slow down WordPress sites and require way to many recourse to use.

Not to mention the disaster when the builder plugin or theme is deactivated. All that you get is shortcode nonsense. None of your actual copy is even accessible from the frontend.

I have had to fix so many sites that were built with Divi and Beaver Builder that I just started grouping all all page builders together. Not giving any of them a chance.

But here it is, are you ready!?

After only 1 months of playing with the free version of Elementor, I bought a license and built the first version of my business website!

Not only did I build out my site with it, but I was able to build another site in an 8 hour day with the page builder. And it was a complicated site that would have taken me a three to four days to code by hand.

Why Elementor

For one it is a plugin and not a theme. Which gives me freedom to continue to use the theme framework I’ve used for more than seven years.

Additionally, I have been pleasantly surprised by how light weight and fast the plugin is.

The support has been incredible. I have only had to use them once but it was a very pleasant experience.

When you deactivate the plugin, there is no messy shortcodes on your pages, what you are left with is the themes default style and all your copy is visible. Do not under estimate the value of this one aspect.

With the roll out of Gutenberg in WordPess core, I am convinced that page builders will have challenges with user retention as people start to shift to a more friendly version of the WordPress core software.

However, Elementor, of all the page builders I’ve tested or supported, is the one that functions the most like Gutenberg. Which leaves me to believe they will have a greater advantage over their competitors for continued compatibility.

One additional quality is the ability to use Elementor for designing your WooCommerce pages and products. If you’ve ever customized a WooCommerce site, you know how much of a pain it can be!

Why the Elementor Page Builder will Win

Like I mentioned above. From what I have experienced and of the page builders I’ve dealt with, Elementor is the only one (and I have not used them all) that seems to function extremely similar to the new WordPress core editor, Gutenberg.

Here is a quick video to show you what I mean.

My Elementor Strategy

If you’ve read my content or know me, you know the only WordPress themes I recommend using are Genesis Framework child themes.

Because I am so committed to using Genesis, Elementor being a plugin as opposed to a theme was crucial for me.

StudioPress has a child theme called, Genesis Sample, which is basically a blank canvas. So if I’m using Elementor to build a site, I am going to use the Genesis Sample theme as my starting point.

This way I still get to take advantage of the Genesis Framework features I have grown to love, but at the same time expand my possibilities.

I will mention, Elementor just announced the acquisition of Layers WP, which is a theme development company. Which will enable them to provide a new range of templates and styles for building your WordPress website.

The Wrap Up

I did a Facebook live episode a few days ago were I briefly open the topic of Gutenberg and the importance of page builders in the progressing market that WordPress is in. I’d encourage you to watch the video and add your own thoughts.

Should you use Elementor? If you’re in the market for a WordPress page builder, I’d highly recommend downloading the free version and giving it a try.

I’d suggest not using Divi or Avada which are theme based builders, I’d also avoid WP Backery’s Visual Composer which is a plugin. Mainly because they’re all very bulky and bloated.

As a final note I will add, if you’re a freelance WordPress website builder you could really expand your business and grow faster with a tool like Elementor.

Done-For-You Service

Want us to fix it for you!? If you don’t want to waste time with these tech issues, we’re happy to do-it-for-you! You can feel confident knowing you’ve got an expert fixing it for you!