IN THEORY IT was a simple click that landed many WordPress users in trouble. Last month someone shared a screenshot of their Elementor editor showing a broken layout. Critics said the design looked messy and had poor structure. In early July several support forums confirmed their section management may have violated best practices; it limited their design capabilities, pending further adjustments. The backup version is serving as temporary solution while everyone works out how to properly add sections in Elementor.
How to Add Sections in WordPress Elementor: Step-by-Step Guide
Adding sections in Elementor is fundamental to building any WordPress page. Whether you're creating a new landing page or redesigning an existing one, understanding section management helps you create professional layouts without coding knowledge. Many beginners find this process intuitive once they understand the basic workflow, while experienced users appreciate the flexibility it offers for complex designs.
- Step 1: Open your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the page you want to edit. Click "Edit with Elementor" to launch the visual editor interface.
- Step 2: In the Elementor editor, look for the plus icon (+) at the bottom of the screen or between existing sections. Click this to add a new section to your layout.
- Step 3: Choose your section structure by selecting from the available column layouts. Elementor offers various column arrangements like single column, two columns, or more complex patterns.
- Step 4: Customize your section by adjusting the layout settings in the left panel. You can modify the content width, column gap, height, and other structural properties to match your design needs.
- Step 5: Add widgets to your section columns by dragging them from the left widget panel. Popular options include heading, text editor, image, and button widgets for basic content sections.
- Step 6: Style your section using the style tab in the left panel. Here you can set backgrounds, borders, typography, and other visual properties to create visually appealing sections.
- Step 7: Use advanced features like responsive controls to ensure your sections look great on all devices. Elementor lets you adjust settings specifically for mobile, tablet, and desktop views.
- Step 8: Save your work by clicking the "Update" or "Publish" button. Always preview your page to ensure sections appear as intended before making it live.
What is the difference between sections and containers in Elementor?
Elementor recently introduced containers as a more flexible alternative to traditional sections. While sections use a column-based structure, containers offer a free-form layout system using CSS grid and flexbox technologies. This allows for more creative designs without being restricted by rigid column arrangements. Containers also provide better performance and are becoming the recommended approach for new projects.
The main practical difference lies in how you structure content. Sections require you to choose a column layout first, then add widgets to those columns. Containers let you place elements anywhere and adjust positioning through layout settings. Many users find containers easier for complex designs, while sections remain reliable for simple, structured layouts. Understanding when to use each approach helps you work more efficiently in Elementor.
Can I reuse sections across different pages?
Yes, Elementor provides several methods for reusing sections. The Template Library feature lets you save any section as a template for future use. You can also use Global Widgets for individual elements that need consistent styling across multiple pages. For more advanced reuse cases, the Theme Builder allows creating templates for headers, footers, and other recurring page parts.
When working with reusable sections, it's important to understand how changes propagate. Global elements update everywhere when modified, while saved templates remain independent unless specifically linked. For teams managing multiple websites, having a solid WordPress backup strategy ensures you can recover if template changes cause unexpected issues. This approach saves significant time when maintaining consistent design across a website.
How do I make sections responsive on mobile devices?
Elementor includes comprehensive responsive controls for all sections. You can access these by clicking the desktop/tablet/mobile icons at the bottom of the editor panel. Each device type has separate settings for column arrangement, spacing, font sizes, and visibility options. The platform automatically creates responsive designs, but manual adjustments often improve the mobile experience.
For optimal mobile performance, consider these approaches: Use stackable columns on mobile, adjust padding and margins for smaller screens, and hide non-essential elements on mobile devices. Testing across actual devices provides the best results, as emulators don't always capture real-world usage. If you encounter persistent mobile issues, our emergency WordPress assistance can help resolve them quickly before they impact your visitors.
What are the best practices for section organization?
Proper section organization starts with clear naming conventions. Use descriptive titles for each section in the Elementor navigator panel, making complex layouts easier to manage. Group related sections together and consider using inner sections for components that belong together logically. This approach becomes especially important when multiple people work on the same website.
For larger projects, maintain consistency by creating a style guide for section spacing, colors, and typography. Document your section structures and naming conventions so team members can follow established patterns. When comparing platforms, many users find WordPress versus Squarespace comparisons helpful for understanding how Elementor's section approach differs from other builders. Consistent organization saves time during edits and redesigns.
How can I troubleshoot section display issues?
Section display problems often stem from conflicting CSS or JavaScript errors. Start troubleshooting by checking the browser console for errors, then temporarily deactivate plugins to identify conflicts. Elementor's Safe Mode feature can help isolate issues by disabling theme and plugin styles temporarily. Common fixes include clearing cache, regenerating CSS through Elementor tools, and checking for sufficient server resources.
When troubleshooting becomes complex, having proper plugin removal procedures helps eliminate problematic extensions cleanly. Some display issues relate to how your theme handles Elementor sections, so testing with a default WordPress theme can identify theme-specific problems. For persistent technical issues, examining your RSS feed configuration might reveal underlying conflicts affecting page rendering. Systematic troubleshooting typically resolves most section display problems within minutes.
Comparison of Elementor Section Types
| Section Type | Best Use Cases | Flexibility Level |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Sections | Simple content layouts | Medium |
| Inner Sections | Nested content groups | High |
| Container Sections | Modern flexible layouts | Very High |
| Sticky Sections | Fixed navigation elements | Specialized |
Understanding these section types helps you choose the right approach for each design challenge. Basic sections work well for most content, while inner sections provide additional organizational structure. Container sections represent the latest development in Elementor's layout system, offering the most flexibility for complex designs. Sticky sections serve specific purposes like fixed headers or call-to-action bars that remain visible during scrolling.
How do sections integrate with WordPress menus?
Elementor sections can integrate with WordPress menus through dedicated navigation widgets. These widgets pull data from your existing WordPress menu system, ensuring consistency between your Elementor designs and standard site navigation. Proper integration requires understanding how WordPress menu editing works, as changes made in the WordPress customizer will reflect in your Elementor sections automatically.
For advanced implementations, you can create completely custom menus using Elementor's section capabilities. This approach gives you full design control but requires manual updates when menu items change. Many users combine both methods - using standard WordPress menus for primary navigation while creating custom menu sections for specialized areas like footer links or promotional sections. This balanced approach maintains consistency while allowing creative freedom where needed.
Can section design impact social media performance?
Well-designed sections can significantly boost social media engagement when they include shareable content and proper metadata. Sections containing compelling visuals, clear calls-to-action, and optimized sharing buttons encourage visitors to distribute your content. Understanding how WordPress tags influence social sharing helps you structure sections for maximum visibility across platforms.
The relationship between section design and social performance extends beyond basic sharing. Sections optimized for visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest perform better when they contain high-quality images with proper aspect ratios. Similarly, sections targeting professional audiences on LinkedIn benefit from more formal layouts and business-focused content. Testing different section designs with your specific audience provides the best insights for improving social media results through your WordPress content strategy.
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