When starting a new Elementor website project, following a set of best practices can significantly improve your workflow and the overall quality of your site. We've developed a tried-and-tested process that we use for every Elementor website we build. Here's our step-by-step guide to help you set up your project for success:
1. Choose and Install a Lightweight Theme
- Select a fast, lightweight theme as your base (e.g., Hello by Elementor).
- Avoid bloated themes with unnecessary features that can slow down your site.
2. Install and Activate Essential Plugins
- Elementor Pro (for advanced features and Theme Builder)
- A caching plugin (e.g. WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache)
- An image optimization plugin (e.g. Imagify, ShortPixel or Smush)
- An SEO plugin (Yoast, Rank Math)
3. Configure Elementor Settings
- Go to Elementor > Settings
- Enable "CSS Print Method" and set it to "External File"
- Disable any unused Elementor features to reduce bloat.
4. Set Up Global Styles
- Define your color palette in Elementor's Global Colors
- Set up your typography in Elementor's Global Fonts (more info here)
- Adjust the default content width, container padding and gaps in Layout settings to suit your design.
5. Set Up Your Header and Footer
- Use Elementor's Theme Builder to create a global header and footer. Try copying one of our Header components.
6. Optimize for Performance
- Enable a caching plugin and configure its settings
- Set up image optimization to reduce file sizes
- Minimize the use of heavy scripts and plugins
By following these best practices, you'll create a solid foundation for your Elementor project, ensuring better performance, consistency, and ease of management as you build out your site. Remember, a well-structured start sets the stage for a smooth development process and a high-quality final product.