Elementor website builder review 2024

Founded in 2016, Elementor is an Israeli software development company that’s redefined the way WordPress users build websites. With over 5 million active installations, Elementor has recently added an AI website builder to its arsenal of no-code tools. It’s a native integration for the Elementor page builder, with quite a few powerful features that took us pleasantly by surprise.

Apart from layout components, Elementor AI also empowers you to generate and improve text, images, and even custom code (HTML and CSS) to customize the look and feel of your website. That last one is rare among WordPress-focused AI platforms, taking your freedom of customization to a whole new level.

We were impressed by Elementor AI's ability to maintain a consistent brand style throughout your website. There’s an AI copilot that offers contextual recommendations for website layouts based on your prompts. You can use the AI writing assistant to adjust your content, making it shorter or longer to fit each section, simplifying the writing style, or making it more professional based on your target audience. Elementor can even localize the content for you using built-in AI translation. 

However, it's worth noting that while Elementor AI offers a free trial, some advanced features, such as creating custom code and CSS, are only available to Elementor Pro users or those with a premium Elementor AI plan. We found the free plan to be somewhat prohibitive, with other WordPress-focused competitors like Divi offering more feature-rich options. 

Overall, Elementor AI is a powerful addition to what is already one of the best website builders for WordPress. It has the potential to significantly streamline your web creation process, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out. Elementor’s ability to create custom HTML and CSS code using generative AI is a particular standout, even if it’s only available on the paid plans.

Elementor plans and pricing

Elementor offers 4 plans for those looking to use its website builder plug-in, so whatever your needs or budget you will find something that works for you.

The Essential plan is the entry level plan with costs starting at $4.92/mo (when billed annually). This plan supports 1 site, comes with 24/7 support, 57 pro widgets, as well as a theme and form builder.

Upgrade to the Advanced Solo plan from $6.48/mo and you get everything from the Essential plan as well as a popup builder, 86 pro widgets, the ability to edit custom code and CSS, ecommerce features, and collaborative notes. If you need more sites you can get all the same benefits, plus up to 3 sites with the Advanced plan from $8.25/mo.

Finally, the Expert plan, starting at $16.58/mo gives you everything from the Advanced plan, along with the ability to build up to 25 sites. Alternatively, you can build up to 1000 sites on the same plan, but this will cost you $33.25/mo.

Although Elementor doesn't offer a free trial, it does offer a 30-day money back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to make sure its the right platform for you.

Elementor features

Introducing Elementor AI Copilot - YouTube

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Elementor AI is a game-changing addition to the popular WordPress website builder, empowering users to create professional-grade websites with unparalleled ease and efficiency. It features localization support, image design, and even code generation. Here are some features we loved the most:

AI writing assistant

The built-in AI writing assistant offers contextual suggestions based on the widget you're using, helping you create compelling copy for your website in a matter of seconds. Whether you need to generate headlines, product descriptions, or blog introductions, Elementor AI's writing assistant has you covered.

Image generation and editing

With Elementor AI, you can create unique, eye-catching images tailored to your website's needs. Simply describe the image you want, and the AI will generate multiple variations for you to choose from. You can also edit existing images, remove backgrounds, and add generative fill to enhance your visuals.

Custom code generation

Elementor AI makes coding accessible to everyone, even those without extensive programming knowledge. The AI can generate custom CSS and HTML code snippets based on your requirements, allowing you to add advanced functionality and styling to your website with ease.

Elementor also offers Conditional CSS Loading. This helps you create a leaner, faster website by analyzing active widgets and features to ensure that only necessary CSS is loaded.

Translation support

Elementor AI supports 25 different languages, enabling you to create multilingual websites and reach a global audience. The AI writing assistant can translate your content into various languages, ensuring that your message resonates with visitors from around the world.

Seamless integration

AI Copilot is natively integrated within the Elementor editor, allowing you to access and utilize all AI-enabled tools without switching between different platforms. This helps streamline your workflow and improve productivity when working on complex projects.

Style

Elementor offers advanced style tools that will help you create a website that looks and works exactly how you want. For example, the floating bar and contact button features allows you to create fixed bars and contact buttons that stay visible to users as they scroll through the page.

Variable fonts also allows you to adjust the weight and width of fonts in single increments, making it easy to have your text look and feel exactly how you want it.

Elementor set up

Getting started with Elementor AI is a straightforward process. First, you'll need to create an Elementor account, which can be done for free on the website. When you're ready to start building your AI-powered website, you'll need to install the Elementor plugin on your WordPress site. This can be done directly from your WordPress dashboard by searching for "Elementor" in the plugins section. After installation, you'll be prompted to connect your Elementor account to your WordPress site, which will grant you access to the full range of Elementor AI features.

As a first-time user, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the Elementor interface and the various AI-powered tools at your disposal. You can start by exploring the AI writing assistant, which can help you generate high-quality text for your website in seconds. You can also experiment with the image generation and custom code features to see how they can enhance your website's design and functionality.

To get the most out of Elementor AI, it's important to properly configure your settings. This includes setting up your AI context, which helps the platform understand your brand's voice, tone, and overall style. You can also customize your preferences for text generation, image creation, and code snippets to ensure that the AI-generated content aligns with your vision.

As you continue to use Elementor AI, you'll find that it seamlessly integrates with your existing workflow, allowing you to create professional-quality websites with ease. To ensure optimal performance and to access the latest features, you need to keep your plugin and account up to date. 

Elementor regularly releases updates and improvements, so staying current will help you get the most out of the platform. If you use one of Elementor’s hosting plans, the company will take care of this automatically. Otherwise, you can perform manual updates using the WordPress dashboard.

Elementor help and support

Elementor offers several support channels to assist users with their website building needs. The primary method of contact is through email support, where users can submit tickets detailing their issues or questions. Elementor also provides a comprehensive knowledge base and help center, featuring tutorials, guides, and FAQs to help users troubleshoot common problems.

In addition to email support, Elementor offers a live chat feature for quick assistance. However, some users have reported mixed experiences with the responsiveness and efficiency of the live chat support. While the company claims to provide 24/7 support, there have also been instances where users have waited several days for a response to their tickets.

Despite these inconsistencies, many users praise the support team for their helpfulness and professionalism when addressing concerns. Elementor’s support agents are generally knowledgeable about the product and try to provide clear guidance to resolve issues.

Elementor security

A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is an essential component of any secure website. It is a digital certificate that encrypts the data sent between your server and browser, ensuring that any information entered on your site remains confidential. The Elementor website builder includes an SSL certificate so you can rest knowing that your website is fully protected and secure. 

Another important feature of Elementor’s website builder is malware scanning. Malware refers to malicious software programs such as viruses, worms, Trojans, or ransomware which can be used to gain access to sensitive information or damage a computer system. 

The Elementor website builder provides real-time scanning for malware threats to prevent malicious attacks before they happen. In addition to the immediate protection offered by its scanning service, it also provides a detailed report after every scan along with recommendations on how to address any potential threats found on your site. 

Elemetor: Competition

Weebly is an all-in-one website builder that makes it easy for anyone to create a professional website without the need for coding or design skills. It features drag-and-drop functionality that allows users to customize their websites with ease, and also includes access to hundreds of free themes and templates. 

Squarespace is another popular website building platform that offers users drag-and-drop customization options. It provides an easy way for people with little or no coding experience to create beautiful websites with ease. Squarespace also provides access to hundreds of free templates and themes, and has an impressive array of ecommerce features that make it easy for businesses to set up online stores. 

Wix is one of the most popular website building platforms on the market today with over 110 million users worldwide. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes customizing your site easy, as well as access to hundreds of free templates and themes. Wix also includes powerful ecommerce features, such as payment integration and invoicing capabilities, so businesses can easily set up online stores on their sites. 

Elementor website builder review: Summary

Elementor’s new AI-powered assistant is a gamechanger for the platform’s usability, making it possible to create websites quickly and effortlessly without investing in a steep learning curve. We particularly liked the ability to generate raw HTML and CSS using prompts, which is a level of freedom unseen in most WordPress focused AI website builders.

However, many of Elementor’s most useful AI features are locked behind a Pro or AI subscription, which can get pretty expensive as your website continues to grow. Still, it’s a great choice for established businesses and agencies who are willing to pay extra for the additional creative freedom.