Module 2 Elementor & Plugins
Plugins and why we use them
Understanding Plugins in Website Design
When designing a website, a plugin is a piece of software that adds specific features or functionalities to your site. Think of it as an app for your website that enhances its capabilities. Plugins can do everything from improving your site’s security to adding contact forms, optimizing SEO, or integrating social media. They are particularly useful because they allow you to customize your website without needing to know how to code.
WordPress Plugins
In WordPress, plugins are essential tools that enable you to add new features and functionalities to your site effortlessly. WordPress plugins are designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for anyone, even those with limited technical skills, to extend their website’s capabilities. For instance, you might use a plugin to create an online store, improve your site’s load speed, or add a booking system for appointments. The vast array of plugins available means you can find one for almost any functionality you need.
Best Plugins for a Service Provider’s Website
When building a basic website for a service provider using Elementor, consider incorporating the following plugins:
Elementor Pro: While the free version of Elementor is powerful, Elementor Pro offers advanced features like additional widgets, a theme builder, and a popup builder, which can significantly enhance your site’s functionality and design.
Elementor Starter: Plugin is a tool for WordPress that helps users create and customize professional websites without needing to write any code. It provides a drag-and-drop interface along with a variety of pre-designed templates and widgets to streamline the web design process. This plugin is especially beneficial for beginners and those looking to quickly build visually appealing and functional websites.
Yoast SEO: This plugin helps optimize your website for search engines, making it easier for potential clients to find your services online. It offers features like keyword optimization, readability analysis, and sitemap creation.
WPForms: A user-friendly form builder that allows you to create contact forms, booking forms, and more. It integrates seamlessly with Elementor, making it easy to add forms to your pages.
Elementor Addons: Plugins like Essential Addons for Elementor or Ultimate Addons for Elementor can provide additional widgets and templates, giving you more design options and functionalities.
Booking calenders plugins: Choosing the right booking calendar plugin for your website can significantly enhance user experience and streamline your scheduling process. Several high-quality plugins are available, each with unique features tailored to different needs. Among the top contenders are Amelia, Bookly, and Simply Schedule Appointments.
When you start building your website you will implement a few of the above mentioned plugins.
HOW TO INSTALL PLUGINS
In the next lesson I will explain how you search for plugins and how you choose the best plugins for what you need.
Using WordPress in conjunction with Elementor offers a powerful combination for creating stunning websites with ease. WordPress provides a solid foundation for managing your content and website structure, while Elementor enhances the design and customization capabilities.
With Elementor, you can easily build and customize your website using a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users of all levels of expertise. The intuitive design options and pre-built templates offered by Elementor allow you to create visually appealing and functional websites efficiently.
By utilizing both WordPress and Elementor together, you can leverage the strengths of each platform to create a website that not only looks great but also functions seamlessly. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your first website or a seasoned developer wanting to streamline your design process, WordPress and Elementor make a winning combination.
Sign up for Elementor FREE VERSION
You have to login to Your WordPress Admin Dashboard:
Begin by logging into your WordPress admin area. Typically, this can be accessed by appending /wp-admin to your website’s URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/wp-admin) or access it throught the siteground homepage. As we have been doing in the previous steps.
After we have installed the “Hello Theme” in the previous lesson its now time to install our Elementor Plugin.
Navigate to Plugins Section: On the left-hand sidebar of the WordPress dashboard, hover over “Plugins” and click on “Add New” or if you want to see which plugins have been installed allready . (see below picture) Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in the Dashboard. A pop up follows: It says that your Hello theme is perfect to work with. From here you click install Elementor. If this doesn’t show up you go to “Add New Plugin.”
Search for Elementor: In the “Add Plugins” page, you’ll find a search bar on the right side. Type “Elementor” into the search bar and press enter. The Elementor Page Builder plugin should appear as the first result.
Install the Plugin: Once you’ve found the Elementor plugin, click the “Install Now” button next to it. The installation process will begin, and this may take a few moments.
Activate the Plugin: After the plugin has been installed, the “Install Now” button will change to “Activate”. Click the “Activate” button to enable the plugin on your website.
Setup Elementor: Once activated, you’ll be redirected to the Elementor welcome page. Here you can go through a brief setup process, or you can skip it and start creating pages right away. Elementor adds a new option called “Edit with Elementor” to your WordPress pages and posts.
