Written By
Katy Boykin
Last Updated: September 20, 2021
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Elementor is a robust page builder for WordPress that can replace dozens of other plugins and help you design gorgeous websites without being a coding wizard or breaking the bank…
…but there can be a steep learning curve for beginners.
The good news is that once you learn the basics, you’ll be able to whiz around the tool like the pros. I’ve created this Elementor Essentials series to help you learn the ropes and DIY your website quickly.
In this first tutorial, you’ll learn…
- How to install the free Elementor plugin
- How to install the Elementor Pro plugin
- How to configure the Elementor plugin settings.
If you’d rather watch a video tutorial showing you where to click, watch this video!
1. How To Install Elementor’s Free Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Go to Plugins > choose Add New
- Using the plugin search bar, type in Elementor > hit enter key
- After the Elementor Page Builder populates, select the Install Now button
- Choose the Activate button and you’ll be redirected to an Elementor getting started page
Voila! You’ve installed Elementor’s core plugin (which is the free version). If you prefer to upload the plugin manually, you can go to Elementor’s website and get the free download then import it the same way I show you in the next step.
Next, I’ll show you how to install the Pro version.
Why Are There Two Plugins?
The free plugin includes Elementor’s core features and the pro version is essentially an expansion pack that unlocks 50+ more widgets, gives you access to a library of over 300+ pro templates, access to Elementor’s theme/ pop-up builders, and more.
If you want to see the difference between the Elementor free vs. pro features side-by-side, check out this handy comparison chart or read my full Elementor Review here.
2. How To Install Elementor’s Pro Version
If you want to add the Elementor Pro plugin, you won’t find it in the WordPress plugin library.
You’ll need to purchase a Pro license here or go to katyboykin.com/elementor to download the plugin to your computer and then upload the zip file manually to your site.
The Sign Up Process:
- Click here to get your Pro license & plugin. This will take you to Elementor’s pricing page.
- Choose the plan that suits your business goals.
- NOTE: Most content creators and small businesses will only need the Essential Plan which provides a license for one website, but if you’re building multiple websites or blogs or need to design a sub-domain with Elementor, you may need the Advanced plan with 3 licenses. If you happen to be a designer or agency, you may need a higher plan.
- Complete the checkout process. (This can take a second to load so just be patient with it.)
The Download & Installation Process:
- On the confirmation page, click the green Download Plugin button to download the .zip file to your computer.
- Return to your WordPress dashboard and click Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Choose the zip file you just downloaded then click on Install Now > Activate Plugin.
Activating Your Elementor’s Pro License:
- To activate the license, click on Connect and Activate. You’ll be redirected to a page on Elementor’s website.
- Since you’re still logged in, simply click on the green Activate button. If you aren’t logged in, it will ask you to sign in first.
- Once it successfully connects, it will redirect you back over to your Elementor License page and show your status as “Active”
Once everything is installed and connected, you can navigate to a page you’ve already published or create a new page and pull up the Elementor editor. You’ll notice you have access to the free and pro widgets along with the template library!
Next up…
Well, that about wraps it up for this tutorial. I hope you found this helpful.
Next, I’ll show you how Elementor’s Page Layout Structure works so you can easily design any page you want!
If you have a question, please ask in the comments below.
