Elementor is a powerful drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress that allows you to create custom layouts and designs without code. However, by default, WordPress uses its own built-in editor (Gutenberg). To use Elementor, you need to explicitly activate it for the specific post or page you want to edit.
Using Gutenberg (Default WordPress Editor)
If you’re using the default WordPress block editor (Gutenberg), here’s how to activate Elementor:
Open the Page or Post
In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” (or “Posts” if you want to edit a post) in the left-hand sidebar. Click on the title of the page or post you want to edit with Elementor.
This will open the page/post in the Gutenberg editor.
Click “Edit with Elementor”
At the top of the Gutenberg editor, you should see a prominent blue button labeled “Edit with Elementor.” Click this button.
This will reload the page and open it in the Elementor editor. You can now use Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface to design your page/post.
Using the Classic Editor
If you’re using the Classic Editor plugin (which reverts WordPress to the older, pre-Gutenberg editor), the process is very similar:
Open the Page or Post
Go to “Pages” (or “Posts”) in your WordPress dashboard and click on the title of the page/post you want to edit.
This will open the page/post in the Classic Editor.
Click “Edit with Elementor”
Look for an “Edit with Elementor” button. Its exact location might vary depending on your theme and other plugins, but it’s usually near the top of the page, either above or below the title field.
Clicking this button will open the page/post in the Elementor editor.
Why the Classic Editor? (Optional Discussion)
Some users prefer the Classic Editor to Gutenberg. The Classic editor keeps things straightforward: offering a blank slate. If you are finding Gutenberg difficult, consider trying the Classic Editor plugin.
Deactivating Elementor
If you decide you no longer want to use Elementor for a particular page or post, you can switch back to the WordPress editor.
From Within the Elementor Editor
While editing a page/post with Elementor, look for a “Back to WordPress Editor” option. This is usually located in the top-left corner of the Elementor interface (it may be within a hamburger menu or similar).
Clicking this option will prompt you to confirm. Be aware that switching back to the WordPress editor *might* affect the layout you created with Elementor, especially if you used Elementor-specific widgets or features.
When *Not* to Activate Elementor for Individual Posts
While you *can* use Elementor to design individual posts, it’s generally *not recommended* for most blog-style content. For consistent blog post layouts, it’s better to use Elementor’s Theme Builder (available in Elementor Pro) to create a *template* that applies to all your posts (or a specific category of posts).
Why Use Templates for Posts?
- Consistency: A template ensures a uniform look and feel across all your posts.
- Efficiency: You only need to design the layout once, and it automatically applies to all posts using that template.
- Maintainability: If you want to change the design of your posts, you only need to update the template, not each individual post.
Using Elementor to design *individual* posts is more appropriate for special cases, such as landing pages or unique content pages that require a completely custom layout *different* from your standard blog post design.
Why Use Elementor?
Elementor is very popular due to its user-friendly interface. The Pro version of Elementor has fair pricing. The plugin ecosystem is vast. One example of a valuable addition is the Piotnet Addons plugin, which adds valuable widgets and features.
Conclusion
Activating Elementor for a WordPress post or page is a simple process, involving just a few clicks. Whether you’re using Gutenberg or the Classic Editor, the “Edit with Elementor” button is your key to unlocking Elementor’s design capabilities. However, remember that for standard blog posts, using Elementor templates is generally a more efficient and maintainable approach than designing each post individually.