What is Elementor?
A plain-English explanation of Elementor — the drag-and-drop page builder used to design and edit your WordPress website.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
If your website was built on WordPress, there is a good chance it uses Elementor to control how pages look. This article explains what Elementor is, what it does, and why it matters to you as the site owner.
Quick summary
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder that works inside WordPress. It lets you (and your team) edit the look and content of your pages without writing any code. Most design changes on your site happen through the Elementor editor.
What is a page builder?
A page builder is a tool that lets you design web pages visually. Instead of editing code, you drag, click, and type to make changes.
Think of it like a digital version of cutting and arranging pieces of paper on a desk. You move things around until they look right — then you save.
Elementor describes itself as the leading site builder for WordPress, and it is used on millions of websites.
What does Elementor do?
Elementor controls how each page on your site looks and is laid out. It manages:
- The text, headings, and paragraphs on every page
- Images and image galleries
- Buttons, links, and calls to action
- Column layouts and spacing
- Colors, fonts, and visual styles
- Forms, videos, maps, and more
When Chykalophia built or redesigned your site, they used Elementor to create all of those elements. You can now use the same tool to make updates.
Free vs. Pro
Elementor comes in two versions.
Elementor Free
The basic, no-cost version (Elementor calls it the free version, or Elementor Core). It includes the core editor, many widgets, and is installed as a WordPress plugin.
Elementor Pro
A paid add-on that works alongside the free plugin (both must be installed and active). It adds more advanced widgets (such as forms and slides), the Theme Builder for headers and footers, and dynamic content tools. Some Pro features, such as popups, aren't included in the entry-level Essential plan. See elementor.com/pricing for what each plan includes.
Most professional sites built by Chykalophia use Elementor Pro. Your project lead can confirm which version your site uses.
How Elementor fits into WordPress
WordPress is the foundation your site is built on. Elementor is a plugin that runs on top of WordPress.
Here is how they relate:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| WordPress | Stores all your content, pages, posts, and settings |
| Elementor | Controls the visual design and layout of each page |
| Your theme | Sets the overall style framework (fonts, colors baseline) |
You still use the WordPress dashboard to manage things like users, plugins, and settings. But for editing page designs and content, you work inside Elementor.
Is Elementor safe to use on my own?
Yes — for routine edits. Elementor is a visual editor that doesn't require you to write code. As long as you follow some basic habits (like saving before you experiment, and checking on mobile), making changes is safe.
For large structural changes — like building new pages from scratch or modifying global styles — we recommend speaking with your project lead first.
Always publish intentionally
In Elementor, changes are not live until you click Publish or Update. You can make edits and preview them first; visitors keep seeing the published page until you publish. Take your time.
Common questions
Can I break my site by using Elementor?
Accidental damage is unlikely if you edit carefully. Elementor saves revision history, so most changes can be undone. That said, large structural edits — like moving whole sections around — can cause layout problems. When in doubt, contact us before making major changes.
Do I need to install or buy Elementor?
No. Chykalophia has already installed and set up Elementor on your site. If your site uses Elementor Pro, the license is already active. You do not need to do anything to get started.
Does Elementor replace WordPress?
No. Elementor works inside WordPress — it does not replace it. You still log in through WordPress, and many settings (like user accounts and plugins) are managed through the WordPress dashboard.
What happens if Elementor is deactivated or removed?
Your page designs were built with Elementor and depend on it. Turning it off can affect how those pages look, and you can't edit them in Elementor until it is active again. Never deactivate Elementor on a live site; contact us first.
Related guides
- How to open the Elementor editor
- A tour of the Elementor interface
- Sections, columns & widgets explained
- Publishing & updating your page
- What is WordPress?
- What are plugins?
- Which platform is your website built on?
Need a hand?
Learn more
Last updated