1`Switching from Elementor to Gutenberg might sound like a daunting task, but it could be the game-changer your website needs. With WordPress moving toward a block-first future, Gutenberg is more than just the default editor—it’s a powerhouse for performance, simplicity, and native integration. Whether you’re looking to speed up your site, simplify content management, or reduce dependency on third-party plugins, making the leap to Gutenberg offers a wealth of opportunities.
But why consider this transition? Elementor, while renowned for its design flexibility and ease of use, can sometimes weigh down a site with heavy assets and slower performance. On the other hand, Gutenberg is lightweight, efficient, and evolving quickly to rival even the most advanced page builders.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the conversion process—from preparing your site and preserving SEO to rebuilding pages with blocks and optimizing performance. So, let’s dive in!
Why Switch from Elementor to Gutenberg?
The decision to switch often boils down to speed, simplicity, and a desire to stay aligned with WordPress’s core developments. Below, we’ll explore the key reasons for making the transition and when it makes sense for your site.
The Case for Gutenberg
Gutenberg has become the go-to choice for many WordPress users due to its lightweight and efficient structure. It offers significantly improved site speed and performance, aligning seamlessly with the WordPress core for a more future-proof experience. Additionally, its minimal resource requirements ensure a reduced server load, making it an ideal option for websites aiming for faster load times and improved user experience.
Limitations of Elementor
While Elementor is a powerful tool for creating visually stunning websites, it comes with certain drawbacks. Its heavier assets can lead to slower site performance, especially on websites with large amounts of content. Additionally, the cost of using advanced features has increased over time, making it less budget-friendly for many users.
Use Cases for the Switch
Switching from Elementor to Gutenberg makes sense for websites with simpler design requirements that don’t need extensive animations or over-the-top elements. It is also an excellent choice for projects focused on achieving higher PageSpeed Insights scores, ensuring better search engine rankings and a seamless user experience.
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Keep Reading: Top Themes for Elementor: A Definitive Guide
Preparing for the Transition: Elementor to Gutenberg
Switching from Elementor to Gutenberg is a significant change that requires careful planning and execution. To ensure a seamless migration, it’s crucial to prepare your website thoroughly. This includes safeguarding your existing content, identifying potential challenges, and creating a safe environment to test changes before going live. Let’s dive into the essential steps you need to take to prepare for this transition.
Backup Your Website
Before starting the migration, ensure you create a comprehensive backup of your website, including files, the database, plugins, and themes. This step safeguards your site against data loss during the transition. Use reliable backup tools like Blogvault or Jetpack Backup, or take advantage of your hosting provider’s backup options for added security.
Audit Your Elementor Content
Perform a detailed audit of your current Elementor content. Review design complexities, such as custom layouts and advanced functionality, and list the widgets or features that need to be replicated in Gutenberg. This will help you plan for rebuilding pages and avoid surprises during the transition.
Set Up a Staging Environment
A staging environment is essential for testing changes without affecting your live site. Create a replica of your website on a staging server using tools like InstaWP or through your hosting provider’s staging feature. This ensures you can experiment, identify issues, and make necessary adjustments in a risk-free environment.
Explore: Gutenberg Vs. Elementor
Step-by-Step Elementor to Gutenberg Conversion Process Explained
Switching from Elementor to Gutenberg requires a strategic approach to ensure your website retains its functionality and design while improving performance. Follow this step-by-step process to execute the transition smoothly and effectively.
Step 1 – Deactivate Elementor
The first step in the conversion process is to safely deactivate Elementor and its add-ons. Begin by taking a full backup of your site to ensure you can restore it if necessary. Navigate to the WordPress dashboard, go to the “Plugins” section, and deactivate Elementor and any related add-ons.
Be prepared for layout changes as pages built with Elementor will lose their styling, reverting to basic HTML. Custom widgets and animations created in Elementor will no longer appear, so plan for replacements in Gutenberg.
Step 2 – Familiarize Yourself with Gutenberg
Before diving into the transition, take time to understand the Gutenberg editor. Unlike Elementor, which offers a pixel-perfect design experience, Gutenberg uses a block-based system where each content element is treated as a block. This native WordPress editor is designed for simplicity and seamless integration with the WordPress core.
Familiarize yourself with its interface, explore available blocks, and understand its capabilities to replicate your Elementor designs effectively.
Step 3 – Rebuild Pages
Rebuilding pages is one of the most critical steps in the WordPress migration process. Start by replicating basic layouts like headings, paragraphs, and images using Gutenberg’s standard blocks. For complex designs, consider using custom blocks or third-party plugins like Kadence Blocks or Spectra. If specific styles or layouts are hard to achieve, you can apply custom CSS tweaks to maintain the desired appearance.
Step 4 – Replace Dynamic Content
Dynamic content, such as forms or custom post types, often requires additional attention during the transition. Identify Gutenberg-compatible blocks or plugins to replace Elementor widgets that provided these functionalities.
For example, use plugins like WPForms for form creation and custom post types to manage dynamic content like testimonials or portfolios. Strategically rebuild these elements to maintain functionality and user experience.
Step 5 – Optimize Performance
Once your pages are rebuilt, it’s important to optimize performance by cleaning up unused Elementor assets. Remove leftover files, scripts, and database entries from Elementor to reduce bloat.
Leverage performance optimization plugins like Jetpack to enhance page speed and ensure your Gutenberg-powered site is lightweight and fast. This step also helps you score higher on tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
Step 6 – Conduct Quality Assurance
Thoroughly review your website to ensure all content displays correctly after the migration. Test your site on various browsers and devices to confirm compatibility and responsiveness.
Additionally, double-check SEO elements such as metadata, alt text for images, and internal links to ensure your site remains search-engine-friendly and optimized for visibility.
Step 7 – Push Changes Live
When everything is ready, it’s time to move your Gutenberg version from the staging environment to the live site. Use migration tools like All-in-One WP Migration to transfer changes seamlessly.
After going live, monitor your website closely for any issues, including performance, layout inconsistencies, or broken links. Be prepared to make quick adjustments to ensure a flawless user experience post-launch.
Read: Export and Import Specific Elementor Page in WordPress
Troubleshooting Common Challenges: Elementor to Gutenberg Conversion
Migrating from Elementor to Gutenberg can present some challenges, particularly with layouts and compatibility. Being prepared to address these issues will help ensure a smooth transition without compromising your website’s performance or user experience.
Handling Layout and Styling Issues
When transitioning to Gutenberg, layout and styling inconsistencies are common. Use group and column blocks in Gutenberg to recreate complex layouts from Elementor. For elements that are difficult to replicate, applying custom CSS can help you achieve the desired appearance. Custom CSS can be added globally or to individual blocks to maintain consistency and ensure your designs look polished.
Addressing Compatibility Problems
Compatibility issues may arise, especially if your website relies on plugins or themes that are not optimized for Gutenberg. Start by updating all WordPress plugins and themes to their latest versions, as developers often add Gutenberg support in newer releases.
For missing functionality, explore alternative plugins or develop custom solutions to bridge the gap. Testing these changes in a staging environment will help you identify and resolve any compatibility problems before going live.
Explore: How to Fix Elementor Custom CSS Not Reflecting on Live Site
Conclusion
Switching from Elementor to Gutenberg is a strategic move that can enhance your website’s performance, simplify its structure, and align it with WordPress’s native ecosystem. While the transition involves challenges like layout adjustments and compatibility issues, these can be addressed with proper planning and troubleshooting. By following the outlined steps and tackling challenges proactively, you can ensure a smooth migration to Gutenberg, unlocking the benefits of a faster, more efficient website that is built for the future.
