3.3Pro widgets: forms, posts, slides
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Pro adds powerful widgets: Form, Posts (grid), Slides, table of contents…
- The Form widget creates forms visually (fields, validation, after-submit actions).
- These integrated widgets avoid stacking third-party plugins (fewer conflicts, lighter).
Through-line — Nadia adds a real form
Until now, contacting the joiner went through a phone number. The client wants a quote form (name, phone, furniture type, message). Nadia uses Pro's Form widget: custom fields, notification e-mail to the workshop, a thank-you message. No need for a separate form plugin.
Continues 3.2 — Nadia leverages the Pro widgets.
1. Form, posts, slides
Elementor Pro adds many widgets. The Form widget creates forms visually: varied fields (text, e-mail, phone, dropdown, message), validation, and after-submit actions (send an e-mail, show a message, redirect). The Posts widget displays a list/grid of articles (latest tips, portfolio). Slides offers a rich slideshow (background image, text, buttons per slide).
Nadia creates a quote form with the right fields and an e-mail notification to the workshop.
2. Integrated rather than third-party plugins
Key advantage: these widgets are integrated into Elementor. Designing them in the editor avoids installing third-party plugins (form, slider, posts grid) — so fewer conflicts, a lighter site and simpler maintenance.
Rule: if Pro provides the widget, use it rather than adding an external extension. Everything stays in one consistent ecosystem.
🔎 Concrete example — Quote form (Nadia's case)
Form widget:
fields = Name · Phone · Furniture type (dropdown) · Message
validation = phone/e-mail required
after-submit actions = e-mail to the workshop + message "Thanks, we'll call you back"
→ No separate form plugin.Result: a real form, integrated and lightweight.
Lesson: integrated > third-party plugin when possible.
Section vocabulary
- Pro widgets
- Many widgets added by Elementor Pro (Form, Posts, Slides, table of contents…).
Simple example: Nadia uses Form and Posts.
What it is not: ignoring the Pro widgets and stacking third-party plugins.
Reflex: check whether Pro already provides the widget.
- Form widget (Pro)
- Create forms visually: fields, validation, after-submit actions.
Simple example: quote form with e-mail notification.
What it is not: installing a form plugin when Pro includes it.
Reflex: form → integrated Pro widget.
- Posts widget (Pro)
- Display a list or grid of articles (latest tips, portfolio).
Simple example: grid of the 3 latest tips on the home page.
What it is not: listing the articles by hand.
Reflex: article list → dynamic Posts widget.
- Slides
- A rich slideshow (background image, text, buttons per slide).
Simple example: a mood slideshow at the top of a page.
What it is not: overusing the slideshow and hiding the key info.
Reflex: slideshow sparingly, essential info visible.
- Integrated vs third-party plugins
- The Pro widgets integrate functions that would otherwise need external plugins.
Simple example: form, slider, grid via Pro, with no third-party extension.
What it is not: multiplying plugins that duplicate each other.
Reflex: integrated first; third-party plugin only if truly necessary.
In practice — Creating a pro contact form
- Insert the Form widget and define the useful fields (name, phone, subject, message).
- Set the validation (required fields, e-mail/phone format).
- Configure the after-submit actions: notification e-mail + confirmation message.
- Test the submission and check that the e-mail is received.
Ready-to-say script — presenting the form to the client (20 s)
"I added a quote request form: the visitor states their need, and you immediately receive an e-mail with their information. No extra software to manage, everything is built into the site — simpler and more reliable."
Highlight the simplicity (integrated) and the direct delivery.
Copy-paste template — form check
FIELDS: name ___ phone ___ e-mail ___ subject/dropdown ___ message ___
VALIDATION (required, format): _______________
AFTER-SUBMIT ACTION: e-mail to ___________ confirmation message ___________
SUBMISSION TEST + E-MAIL RECEPTION: done / to do
CONSENT / GDPR (if personal data): yes / noTradesperson quote
Fields: name, phone, furniture type, message; notification to the workshop.
Latest articles
Posts widget as a grid on the home page to show activity.
Mobile
Short form and wide fields, easy to fill with a finger.
Plugin restraint
Prefer the integrated Pro widgets rather than multiplying extensions.
✓ Best practices
- Use the Form widget rather than a third-party plugin.
- Test the submission and the e-mail reception.
- Limit the fields to the useful (completion rate).
✗ Common pitfalls
- Stacking plugins that duplicate each other.
- A too-long form that discourages.
- Forgetting to test message reception.
Key takeaways
- Pro adds Form, Posts, Slides, etc.
- Form: fields + validation + after-submit actions.
- Integrated = fewer plugins, fewer conflicts.
- Always test a form submission.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
Create a contact form with the Pro widget (3-4 fields, validation, notification e-mail + confirmation message) and test a real submission. 30 minutes.
- I create a form with the Pro widget.
- I configure validation and after-submit actions.
- I test message reception.
Frequently asked questions
Does Elementor Pro replace a form plugin?
Yes in most cases: the Form widget handles fields, validation and actions (e-mail, message, redirect). This avoids a third-party plugin and the associated conflicts.
Are messages received by e-mail?
Yes: in the after-submit actions, you configure the sending of a notification e-mail (and an acknowledgement to the visitor). Remember to test the real reception.
Why prefer the integrated to third-party plugins?
Fewer extensions = fewer conflicts, a lighter site and simpler maintenance. You only add a third-party plugin if Elementor doesn't cover the need.
The joiner wants a real quote form (name, phone, message) with e-mail notification. What does Nadia choose?