Elementor is powerful — which means it’s easy to overcomplicate things.
This is the checklist I keep close when building sites with Elementor (Pro) + a dynamic layer like JetEngine. It helps me ship pages that are consistent, fast, and maintainable.
1) Start with Site Settings, not the canvas
Before dragging any widget, define global styles:
- Global colors and fonts
- Headings scale (H1–H6), body text, links, buttons
- Spacing rules (section/container padding, gaps)
If you style on-the-fly (each widget by hand), you’ll duplicate work and weight. Site Settings lets you change design later without hunting down 40 widgets.
Tip: Name your global tokens clearly: --brand-01, --accent-01, --text-01. Consistency beats creativity here.
2) Prefer Containers (Flexbox) and keep nesting shallow
If your setup supports container-based layout, use it. It’s lighter and more flexible than sections/columns.
- Keep the DOM shallow: container → content, avoid nesting 5 levels deep.
- Use gap (row/column) instead of stacking empty spacers.
- Reuse inner containers as building blocks (e.g., media + text pair) instead of reinventing each block.
Rule of thumb: if the Navigator looks like a Christmas tree, simplify.
3) Build with the Theme Builder (not only pages)
Structure matters:
- Header and Footer as templates
- Single templates for posts and CPTs
- Archive templates (blog, CPT archives, taxonomy archives)
Where possible, use Dynamic Tags for titles, dates, authors, featured images. Fewer manual edits, fewer mistakes.
4) Make responsive decisions on real breakpoints
Don’t trust the desktop preview alone.
- Define custom breakpoints that match your design (at least: mobile, tablet, desktop).
- Check typography and spacing per breakpoint; oversized paddings on mobile are a silent killer.
- Test real interactions on a real device (menus, sticky headers, off-canvas panels, carousels).
Quick audit: is there any horizontal scroll on mobile? If yes, find and fix overflow.
5) Control performance from day one
Small choices add up:
- Compress images before upload; serve correct dimensions (no 2400px heroes on mobile).
- Avoid stacking animation effects and scroll-based motion; they cost paint time.
- Use as few addons as possible; one solid addon is better than four overlapping ones.
- If you use webfonts, reduce weights and subsets.
Habit: run Lighthouse in an incognito window after each major block. Catch regressions early.
6) Keep forms lean and reliable
Forms tend to bloat pages and break conversions.
- Load only one forms plugin across the site.
- Disable global form CSS if the plugin allows it and you style via global tokens.
- Test error states (invalid email, required fields, server errors) — not just the happy path.
- Hook confirmations to an accessible success message, not a flashy modal that blocks focus.
7) Name, group, and document
Future-you (or your client) will thank you.
- Name containers and widgets in Navigator:
hero__content,cta__button,card__image. - Save common blocks as Templates (or Patterns) and reuse them.
- Keep a short README (even a Google Doc) noting global tokens, breakpoints, and any custom CSS.
8) Accessibility is part of the job
Elementor can be accessible if you build with intention.
- Only one H1 per page; headings in logical order.
- Alt text for images that convey meaning; decorative images empty-alt.
- Maintain visible focus states for links/buttons.
- Sufficient color contrast (aim for WCAG AA minimum).
9) Clean up before handoff
Final sweep before go-live:
- Remove unused templates, drafts, and experimental widgets.
- Delete demo content and orphan images.
- Regenerate CSS/JS files in Elementor tools if needed.
- Clear caches, then test again logged out.
Bonus: keep a simple “aftercare” note for the client — how to update content without breaking layout.
This checklist won’t make a site perfect — nothing will.
But it keeps pages predictable, fast, and easier to grow without starting over.
Ellie Miguel – WordPress & Elementor freelancer since 2010 | elliemiguel.es
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