0.2Installing Elementor on WordPress
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Free installs from WordPress: Plugins → Add New → "Elementor" → Install → Activate.
- Pro isn't in the free directory: you get it after subscribing, then upload it in addition to Free.
- Recommended light theme: Hello Elementor — minimal, fast, built to let Elementor drive the design.
Through-line — Nadia prepares the ground
The joiner already has hosting and WordPress installed. Nadia must lay the foundations: install Elementor Free, activate a theme that doesn't fight Elementor, and check everything is up to date. She hesitates to keep the "ready-made" theme shipped by default, packed with options. This section makes her choose simplicity.
Continues case 0.1 — Nadia installs before building.
1. Install and activate
Elementor Free installs like any plugin: in the WordPress dashboard, Plugins → Add New Plugin, search "Elementor", Install then Activate. Within seconds, the "Edit with Elementor" button appears on pages. Elementor Pro, however, isn't in the free directory: you subscribe at elementor.com, download the .zip file, then upload it (Plugins → Add New → Upload) — in addition to Free, not instead of it.
Prerequisite: a working WordPress (hosting + WordPress installed). Nadia checks the joiner's hosting is running and WordPress is reachable before starting.
2. Pick a light theme
The theme sets the site's frame (header, footer, default styles). With Elementor you want a light and neutral theme that lets Elementor drive the design: Hello Elementor is the reference choice — minimal, fast, with no needless layer. A "multipurpose" theme stuffed with options slows the site and creates style conflicts with Elementor.
Finally, keep everything up to date (WordPress, recent PHP, Elementor): that's the basis of security and compatibility. Nadia activates Hello Elementor and checks updates before designing the first page.
🔎 Concrete example — Install cleanly (Nadia's case)
1. Joiner's WordPress reachable? OK.
2. Plugins → Add New → "Elementor" → Install → Activate.
3. Appearance → Themes → activate "Hello Elementor".
4. Dashboard → Updates: everything up to date.
→ Ready to build the first page.Result: a clean, fast base with no theme conflict.
Lesson: a light theme is a performance choice.
Section vocabulary
- Install Elementor Free
- Add the plugin from the WordPress directory: Plugins → Add New → Install → Activate.
Simple example: Nadia activates Elementor in 30 seconds on the joiner's WordPress.
What it is not: trying to buy it when Free is free and in the directory.
Reflex: Free = official directory, a few clicks.
- Install Elementor Pro
- Subscribe, download the .zip, then upload it into WordPress.
Simple example: later, Nadia uploads Pro (Plugins → Add New → Upload).
What it is not: searching for Pro in the plugin search: it isn't there.
Reflex: Pro = subscription + upload, in addition to Free.
- Theme (Hello Elementor)
- A minimal, fast theme built to let Elementor drive the design.
Simple example: Nadia activates Hello Elementor to avoid style conflicts.
What it is not: keeping a heavy multipurpose theme that fights Elementor.
Reflex: with Elementor, a light theme beats one stuffed with options.
- Prerequisites
- A working WordPress (hosting + WordPress installed) before installing Elementor.
Simple example: Nadia checks the joiner's site is reachable before starting.
What it is not: wanting to use Elementor without WordPress installed.
Reflex: no WordPress, no Elementor.
- Updates
- Keep WordPress, PHP and Elementor up to date for security and compatibility.
Simple example: Nadia checks updates before and after install.
What it is not: leaving an outdated WordPress or PHP.
Reflex: before acting, update and back up.
In practice — Install Elementor from A to Z
- Check access to the WordPress dashboard (credentials, /wp-admin URL).
- Install and activate Elementor Free (Plugins → Add New).
- Activate a light theme (Hello Elementor) via Appearance → Themes.
- Run the available updates (WordPress, plugins).
Ready-to-say script — reassure the client about the install (20 s)
"I install Elementor on your WordPress and activate a light, fast theme. I update everything first. It changes nothing about your hosting or your access: we simply add the tool that lets me design your pages."
Always back up before touching an existing site.
Copy-paste template — install checklist
WORDPRESS ACCESS (/wp-admin URL + credentials): _______________
BACKUP DONE BEFORE WORK: yes / no
ELEMENTOR FREE INSTALLED + ACTIVATED: yes / no
LIGHT THEME ACTIVATED (Hello Elementor): yes / no
UPDATES (WP, PHP, Elementor): up to date / to do
PRO REQUIRED? (if yes: subscription + upload): yes / noExisting site
Back up BEFORE installing/changing the theme: a heavy theme already in place can break the display during the switch.
New site
Go straight to Hello Elementor: no style history to untangle.
Modest hosting (Algeria)
Light theme + recent PHP updates = a faster site on shared hosting.
Pro needed from the start
Install Free then upload Pro right after, and enter the license key.
✓ Best practices
- Back up before any work on an existing site.
- Pick a light theme (Hello Elementor).
- Update everything (WordPress, PHP, Elementor).
✗ Common pitfalls
- Keeping a heavy multipurpose theme that conflicts with Elementor.
- Searching for Pro in the free directory (it isn't there).
- Installing without a prior backup.
Key takeaways
- Free: Plugins → Add New → Install → Activate.
- Pro: subscription then upload, in addition to Free.
- Recommended light theme: Hello Elementor.
- Keep WordPress, PHP and Elementor up to date.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
On a test WordPress (or local), install Elementor Free, activate Hello Elementor and run the updates. Note how long it takes: often under 10 minutes.
- I've installed and activated Elementor Free.
- I've activated a light theme (Hello Elementor).
- I've checked the updates.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get Elementor Pro?
At elementor.com, after subscribing: you download a .zip file then upload it into WordPress (Plugins → Add New → Upload). Pro adds to Free.
Which theme should I use with Elementor?
A light, neutral theme like Hello Elementor, built to let Elementor drive the design. Avoid heavy multipurpose themes that create conflicts.
Should I back up before installing?
Yes, on an existing site: a backup (files + database) lets you roll back if something goes wrong when changing the theme or during an update.
Nadia takes over an existing joiner's site with a heavy multipurpose theme. Before installing Elementor, what's the priority reflex?