Elementor Website Templates: Complete Guide to Build Sites Fast

What Are Elementor Website Templates?

Elementor website templates are pre-designed page layouts created by professional designers that you can import into your WordPress site and customize with the Elementor drag-and-drop editor. Instead of positioning every widget and section from scratch, a template gives you a complete, visually polished framework — with placeholder text, image areas, button styles, and layout structure already in place. You simply swap the content with your own.

Templates exist at multiple levels of scope in Elementor. A block template might cover a single hero section or a pricing table. A page template covers an entire page layout such as a homepage or about page. A website kit — sometimes called a template kit — covers an entire website, including multiple interconnected pages that share consistent typography, color schemes, and design language.

Why Templates Save Enormous Time

Professional web designers often charge $2,000–$10,000 for a custom website. A significant portion of that cost covers the time spent designing layouts from scratch. Elementor templates eliminate most of that time. A designer who might spend 20 hours building a homepage from zero can achieve the same quality result in 2–3 hours using a well-chosen template as their starting point. For individuals and small businesses building their own sites, templates make professional-looking results achievable without design expertise.

Are Elementor Templates Responsive?

Yes. All templates available through the official Elementor template library and reputable third-party sources are built to be fully responsive — meaning they automatically adapt their layout for desktop, tablet, and mobile screen sizes. You can verify and fine-tune the responsive behavior of any template using Elementor’s responsive preview mode (the device icons at the bottom of the editor), which lets you see and edit how the template looks on each screen size.

Types of Elementor Templates Explained

Before you start installing templates, it helps to understand the different template types Elementor supports. Each serves a different purpose and comes in a different file format.

Blocks vs Pages vs Kits: When to Use Each

Block templates are the fastest way to add a specific section — a testimonial carousel, a feature grid, a contact form layout — to a page you are already building. Page templates are the right choice when you want a complete, ready-to-edit page layout. Website kits (both Elementor’s own kits and Envato Template Kits) are what you use when you want to launch an entire website with a unified design across all pages in one import operation.

What Is a Template Kit (Envato)?

An Envato Elementor Template Kit is a multi-page design package sold on ThemeForest or available through an Envato Elements subscription. Unlike a full WordPress theme, a template kit contains only the Elementor design data — the page layouts, section structures, widget settings, and styles — without being tied to a specific theme. This makes kits more flexible than traditional themes because you can use them with any Elementor-compatible theme, including the free Hello Theme. Kits are imported using the Template Kit Import plugin, which Envato provides as a free WordPress plugin.

Elementor Free vs Pro: Which Templates Can You Access?

One of the most common questions about Elementor website templates is which ones require Elementor Pro. The answer depends on where the template comes from and which features it uses.

Getting the Most Without Elementor Pro

Even without Elementor Pro, you have meaningful template access. The free version of Elementor gives you access to the template library’s block sections and a selection of page templates. You can also import any .json template file you download from a third-party source. The Template Kit Import plugin from Envato works with the free version, giving you access to Envato Template Kits. The main things you miss without Pro are the Kit Library, Theme Builder templates, and the full range of Pro-exclusive page template designs inside Elementor’s own library.

Where to Find Elementor Website Templates (Free and Premium)

The template ecosystem around Elementor is vast. Here is a structured overview of the best sources for finding both free and premium Elementor website templates.

Elementor’s Official Template Library

The built-in template library is accessible directly inside the Elementor editor by clicking the folder icon (or the Templates button) in the bottom panel. It contains hundreds of block designs and dozens of full page layouts organized by category. Free Elementor users get access to a selection of these; Elementor Pro users unlock the complete library. All templates in the official library are maintained and updated by the Elementor team, ensuring compatibility with current versions.

Envato ThemeForest and Envato Elements

Envato ThemeForest (themeforest.net) is the largest marketplace for premium WordPress design resources, and its Template Kits section contains hundreds of professional Elementor kits covering virtually every website niche — portfolios, restaurants, agencies, SaaS, e-commerce, and more. Individual kits are available as one-time purchases. Envato Elements (elements.envato.com) offers unlimited downloads of all template kits and millions of other creative assets for a monthly subscription, making it an excellent value for agencies and freelancers who build multiple sites.

Other Reliable Template Sources

• TemplateMonster: Large library of Elementor-compatible templates and full themes
• Crocoblock: Subscription-based library with dynamic Elementor template kits
• Astra Starter Templates: High-quality free and premium templates optimized for the Astra theme with Elementor
• OceanWP Demos: Full site demos that work with Elementor on the OceanWP theme
• Creative Market: Independent designer marketplace with unique Elementor templates
• Behance and Dribble: Community platforms where designers sometimes release free Elementor template files

Method 1: Using the Built-in Elementor Template Library

The fastest and simplest way to use Elementor website templates is through the built-in library available directly inside the editor. This method requires no downloading, no file management, and no additional plugins. It works on both the free and Pro versions of Elementor.

Step 1: Open a Page in the Elementor Editor

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
2. Go to Pages in the left sidebar and click Add New Page, or click on an existing page you want to design
3. Click the Edit with Elementor button at the top of the page or in the page list
4. The Elementor editor loads with your blank or existing page canvas

Step 2: Open the Template Library

5. In the Elementor editor, look for the folder icon in the bottom center toolbar — this is the Template Library button
6. Alternatively, on a blank canvas, you will see a large Template Library icon in the center of the empty canvas area — click it
7. The Template Library panel opens showing two main tabs: Pages (full page templates) and Blocks (individual section templates)
8. If this is your first time, Elementor may ask you to connect your free Elementor account to access the full library. Complete the quick account connection — it is free

Step 3: Browse and Preview Templates

9. Use the category filters at the top of the library to narrow templates by type: Homepage, About, Services, Portfolio, Landing Page, WooCommerce, and more
10. Use the search bar to find templates matching a keyword like restaurant, agency, or fitness
11. Hover over any template thumbnail and click the magnifying glass icon to open a full-screen live preview
12. In the preview, you can scroll through the entire template design to evaluate whether the layout and style suit your project

Step 4: Insert the Template

13. When you find a template you want to use, click the Insert button in the preview panel or the Insert button on the template card
14. If the template requires Pro widgets that you do not have, Elementor will notify you — you can still insert the template but those specific widgets will not render correctly
15. The template imports directly into your page canvas. Depending on template complexity, this takes 5–30 seconds
16. Once inserted, the template is live on your canvas and fully editable using the normal Elementor drag-and-drop interface

Step 5: Save Your Work

17. After inserting and making initial customizations, click the green Publish button at the bottom of the Elementor panel to make the page live
18. Or click the arrow next to Publish and choose Save Draft to save without publishing

Method 2: Importing a Full Website Kit (Elementor Pro)

Elementor Pro’s Kit Library is the most powerful way to deploy a complete, cohesive website in a single import operation. A Website Kit packages not just page layouts but also global colors, global fonts, theme styles, and all other site-wide settings — giving you a completely designed website with one import.

Step 1: Access the Kit Library

19. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Elementor > Editor (or click Edit with Elementor on any page)
20. In the Elementor editor, click the Hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the panel
21. Click Site Settings to access the site-level configuration panel
22. Alternatively, go to Templates > Kit Library in your WordPress dashboard to access the kit browser directly

Step 2: Browse and Select a Kit

23. The Kit Library presents a searchable, filterable gallery of complete website kits organized by industry and style
24. Click any kit to preview it — the preview shows all the included pages and the overall design direction
25. When you find a kit you want to import, click the Apply Kit button

Step 3: Configure Import Options

Before the kit imports, Elementor presents a configuration screen where you choose what to import. This is an important step:

• Templates: The page and Theme Builder templates included in the kit
• Site Settings: Global colors, fonts, and site-wide style settings — importing these will override your current settings
• Content: Demo content (pages and posts) included with the kit

For a new site, importing everything gives you the most complete setup. For an existing site where you have already configured colors and fonts, you may want to deselect Site Settings to preserve your existing configuration.

Step 4: Complete the Import and Connect Pages

26. Click Import and wait for the process to complete — this typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on kit complexity
27. After import, go to your WordPress Pages list to find all the imported pages
28. Update your WordPress navigation menu (under Appearance > Menus) to include the newly imported pages
29. Visit each imported page and verify it looks correct, then publish any pages that are currently in Draft status

Method 3: Installing Envato Elementor Template Kits

Envato Template Kits are one of the most popular sources for premium Elementor website templates. The import process uses the free Template Kit Import plugin, which handles the installation smoothly. Here is the complete workflow, as covered in the video tutorial.

Step 1: Install the Template Kit Import Plugin

30. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin
31. Search for Template Kit Import
32. Find the plugin published by Envato and click Install Now, then Activate
33. After activation, a Template Kits menu item appears in your WordPress sidebar

Step 2: Download Your Template Kit from Envato

34. Visit ThemeForest (themeforest.net) or Envato Elements (elements.envato.com) and find the Elementor template kit you want
35. Purchase or download the kit — you will receive a .zip file
36. Do NOT unzip the file. The Template Kit Import plugin needs the compressed .zip format. Note: Safari on Mac automatically unzips downloaded files — disable this by going to Safari > Preferences > General and unchecking Open safe files after downloading

Step 3: Prepare Your WordPress Site

Before importing, a few quick settings ensure the kit imports correctly:

37. Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and make sure Post Name is selected. Click Save Changes even if it is already selected — this refreshes the permalink structure
38. If the kit requires Elementor Pro, make sure Elementor Pro is installed, activated, and connected with a valid license
39. Go to Elementor > Settings > Features and ensure Flexbox Container is set to Active — this is required for all Envato kits published after October 2023
40. Verify your PHP version is 8.0 or higher by checking Elementor > System Info

Step 4: Install the Hello Elementor Theme

41. Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New
42. Search for Hello Elementor and install it
43. Activate the Hello Elementor theme — Envato strongly recommends this theme for template kits because it has no conflicting styles that could interfere with the kit’s design

Step 5: Import the Template Kit

44. Go to Template Kits in your WordPress sidebar
45. Click Import Kit at the top of the page
46. Click Choose File and select your downloaded .zip kit file
47. Click Upload File — Elementor analyzes the kit and shows a summary of what it contains: pages, templates, images, and required plugins
48. Review the list of required plugins. If any are not installed, the importer will prompt you to install them before proceeding
49. Select which pages and templates you want to import (or select all) and click Import
50. Wait for the import to complete — this takes 1–5 minutes depending on the kit size and your server speed

Step 6: Connect Pages to Your Menu

After import, your kit pages exist as WordPress pages in Draft status. Go to Pages in your dashboard, publish the pages you want to make live, then update your navigation menu under Appearance > Menus to link your new pages. Your Elementor website template is now live.

Method 4: Importing a JSON or ZIP Template File

If you have downloaded an Elementor template from a third-party source — a designer’s website, a template marketplace, or a file another Elementor user has shared — the template likely comes as a .json file (for single pages or sections) or a .zip file (for a bundle). Here is how to import both.

Importing a Single Page or Section Template (.json)

51. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Templates > Saved Templates
52. Click the Import Templates button at the top of the page
53. In the file browser that appears, navigate to your downloaded .json file and select it
54. Click Import Now. The template appears in your Saved Templates list
55. To use the imported template on a page, open that page in the Elementor editor
56. Click the folder icon to open the Template Library
57. Navigate to the My Templates tab — your imported template appears here
58. Click Insert to place the template on your current page

Importing a Bundle ZIP Template

Some third-party templates come as .zip bundles containing multiple .json files. To import these:

59. First unzip the .zip file on your computer to extract the individual .json files inside
60. Import each .json file separately using the Templates > Saved Templates > Import Templates method described above
61. After all files are imported, each page template appears in your My Templates library ready to use

Important Note on Template Compatibility

When importing templates from third-party sources, be aware that some templates may use widgets from Elementor Pro or from third-party Elementor add-on plugins. If you try to use a template that requires a plugin you do not have installed, those widgets will appear as a placeholder warning in the editor rather than rendering correctly. Always check a template’s requirements before importing to avoid surprises.

How to Customize Your Elementor Template

Installing a template is just the beginning. To turn a generic template into a website that represents your specific brand, you need to customize it systematically. Here is the most efficient approach to template customization.

Start with Global Colors and Fonts

Before editing individual pages, configure your brand’s global colors and typography in Elementor’s Site Settings. From the Elementor editor, open the Hamburger menu and go to Site Settings > Global Colors. Replace the template’s default color palette with your brand colors. Then go to Site Settings > Global Typography and set your brand fonts. Because templates use these global settings throughout their design, changing them here updates the color and font on every element across every page simultaneously — dramatically faster than editing each element individually.

Replace Placeholder Text

Template text is placeholder content written to demonstrate the layout. Click on any text element in the Elementor editor to select it, then click inside to edit. Replace every instance of placeholder text with your actual content — your headline, your value proposition, your service descriptions, your team bios. Take this opportunity to write genuinely compelling content rather than just copying in whatever you have. The text quality on your website is just as important as the visual design.

Update Images

Template images are stock photos chosen by the template designer to showcase the layout. Replace them with your actual product images, team photos, office photos, or relevant images that represent your business. To replace an image in Elementor, click on any Image widget to select it, then click the image thumbnail in the left panel to open the WordPress media library and choose or upload your replacement image.

Adjust Layout and Structure

After updating content and colors, review the overall layout. Some sections in the template may not apply to your business — remove them by hovering over the section and clicking the X icon. Some sections may need duplicating — hover over a section and click the duplicate icon. Drag sections up or down to reorder them to suit your content hierarchy. Add new sections by clicking the + button between existing sections and choosing a layout.

Update Buttons and Links

Every button in the template links to the template designer’s placeholder destination (often # or an example URL). Update all button links to point to the correct pages on your site. Check your navigation menu, your CTA buttons, your footer links, and any image links throughout the template. Missing or broken links are one of the most common template customization oversights that beginners make.

Configure SEO Settings

Each imported page needs its own SEO configuration. If you use Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or All in One SEO, open each imported page in the WordPress editor (not Elementor) and fill in the SEO title and meta description fields. These fields are not part of the template design and need to be set individually for each page to rank effectively in search engines.

Using Elementor Theme Builder with Templates

For a truly complete website built on Elementor website templates, you need more than just page templates — you need custom header and footer templates too. This is where Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder comes into play and connects directly with the template system.

Header and Footer Templates

When you import a Website Kit or an Envato Template Kit that includes header and footer designs, those designs are imported as Theme Builder templates and automatically assigned to display across your entire site. If your kit does not include header and footer templates, or if you want to customize them, go to Templates > Theme Builder in your WordPress dashboard. Click Add New in the Header section, and either import a header template from the library or design one from scratch using Elementor’s header-specific widgets (Site Logo, Nav Menu, Search, WooCommerce Cart).

Single Post Templates

One of the most underutilized template types is the Single Post template, which controls how every blog post on your site looks. Most template kits include a pre-designed single post template as part of the kit. If yours does not, create one in Theme Builder under Single Post. This template uses dynamic content widgets (Post Title, Post Content, Post Featured Image, Post Author) that automatically pull each post’s specific data, giving every post the same polished layout without designing each post individually.

Connecting Template Kit Pages to Theme Builder

After importing a template kit, verify that the kit’s header and footer templates are active and correctly assigned. Go to Templates > Theme Builder and check the Header and Footer sections. Each template should show a condition of Entire Site, meaning it displays on all pages. If the conditions are not set, click the three-dot menu next to the template and choose Edit Conditions, then add the Entire Site condition and save.

Tips, Best Practices, and Mistakes to Avoid

Always Back Up Before Importing a Kit

Importing a Website Kit changes your site’s global colors, fonts, and settings. This can significantly alter the appearance of any existing pages on your site. Always take a full backup before importing any kit. Most quality WordPress hosts offer one-click backup tools. Alternatively, the Updraft Plus plugin provides free WordPress backup functionality. A backup ensures that if the import does not go as expected, you can restore your site to its previous state in minutes.

Use Hello Theme for the Cleanest Results

The Hello Elementor theme is specifically designed to provide a neutral, zero-conflict foundation for Elementor designs. It adds no conflicting typography, no default header styling, and no CSS that might interfere with template designs. Using Hello Theme with your Elementor templates virtually eliminates the class of problems where a template looks different from its preview because the active theme’s styles are overriding the template’s styles.

Check Required Plugins Before Importing

Some Elementor template kits require specific plugins to display certain elements correctly. Common requirements include WooCommerce (for shop templates), Contact Form 7 or WPForms (for contact page templates), and Elementor Pro (for Theme Builder templates). Always read the kit’s requirements section before purchasing or importing. Installing required plugins after the fact can fix most issues, but some elements may need manual reconnection.

Customize Fonts and Colors Through Global Settings

The biggest efficiency gain in template customization comes from using Elementor’s Global Colors and Global Typography system rather than editing colors and fonts element by element. When a template is built using global color variables and global typography presets (as all quality templates are), changing those global settings propagates the change across the entire template in seconds. This is the professional workflow — configure once, update everywhere.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Unzipping Envato kit files before import: The Template Kit Import plugin requires the compressed .zip file. Unzipping before import breaks the process.
• Skipping the Permalink reset: Many template import issues are caused by incorrect permalink settings. Always go to Settings > Permalinks and save before importing.
• Importing a kit over an existing designed site without backing up: Kit imports change global settings and can alter your existing pages significantly.
• Forgetting to update all placeholder links and buttons: Template navigation links often point to # or placeholder destinations. Review every link after customization.
• Not checking the mobile preview after customization: Text and image changes can sometimes disrupt responsive layouts. Always verify mobile and tablet views after editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Elementor website templates free?

Elementor offers both free and premium templates. The built-in Template Library includes a selection of free block templates and page templates accessible to all Elementor users, including those using the free plugin version. Elementor Pro users get access to a much larger library including full Website Kits. Third-party template sources like ThemeForest offer paid template kits (typically $15–$69 per kit), while Envato Elements provides unlimited kit access for a monthly subscription.

Can I use Elementor templates without Elementor Pro?

Yes, partially. The free version of Elementor gives you access to a limited selection of block and page templates from the built-in library. You can also import any .json template files from third-party sources and use Envato Template Kits via the free Template Kit Import plugin. The features that specifically require Elementor Pro are the Kit Library (full website kits from Elementor’s own library), Theme Builder templates (headers, footers, single post templates), and certain Pro-exclusive widgets used in some template designs.

How do I import an Elementor template from a .json file?

To import a .json template file in Elementor: go to Templates > Saved Templates in your WordPress dashboard, click the Import Templates button, select your .json file, and click Import Now. The template will appear in your Saved Templates list. To use it on a page, open that page in the Elementor editor, click the folder icon to open the Template Library, navigate to the My Templates tab, and click Insert next to the template you want to add.

What is the difference between a template kit and a WordPress theme?

A WordPress theme controls the structural PHP framework of your site — the header.php file, footer.php file, template hierarchy, and default styles. An Elementor template kit contains only the Elementor design data — page layouts, widget configurations, and style settings — without modifying the underlying PHP theme structure. Template kits are more flexible than themes because you can use them with any Elementor-compatible theme. However, kits require Elementor to render, while theme designs work regardless of which page builder is active.

Why does my imported template look different from the preview?

The most common reasons a template looks different from its preview are: (1) the active WordPress theme is overriding some of the template’s styles with its own CSS, (2) required plugins for certain template elements are not installed, (3) the template uses Elementor Pro features that are not available on your current plan, (4) custom fonts used in the template need to be uploaded to your site, or (5) the Flexbox Container feature is not enabled in Elementor settings. Switching to the Hello Elementor theme resolves most styling conflict issues.

Can I edit an Elementor template after importing it?

Yes, absolutely. Every element of an imported Elementor template is fully editable in the Elementor editor. Click on any widget to select it and modify its content, style, or settings in the left panel. You can add new widgets, delete existing elements, rearrange sections, change colors and fonts, and make any other changes. Templates are simply starting points — the real value comes from how you customize them for your specific brand and content.

How do I get the Template Kit Import plugin for Envato kits?

The Template Kit Import plugin is a free WordPress plugin published by Envato. Install it from your WordPress dashboard by going to Plugins > Add New and searching for Template Kit Import. After installing and activating it, a Template Kits menu item appears in your WordPress sidebar, and you can use it to import .zip kit files downloaded from ThemeForest or Envato Elements.

Conclusion

Elementor website templates are one of the most powerful productivity tools available to anyone building a WordPress website in 2026. Whether you are a first-time site builder who wants a professional result without learning design fundamentals, or an experienced web developer looking to cut project turnaround time in half, templates give you a reliable, high-quality starting point that you can make completely your own.

The four methods covered in this guide — the built-in Template Library, the Elementor Kit Library, Envato Template Kits, and JSON file imports — give you access to thousands of professional designs for every industry, style, and purpose. Combined with Elementor’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor and the Theme Builder’s header and footer design capabilities, you have everything you need to build a complete, polished website faster than was ever possible with traditional design workflows.

The key is to start with a template that is close to your vision, configure your global colors and fonts first, then systematically replace placeholder content with your real brand material. Add a solid Hello Elementor base, verify every responsive breakpoint, and launch with confidence.

Ready to start building? Install Elementor from the WordPress plugin repository, browse the built-in template library, or head to ThemeForest to find the perfect Elementor template kit for your project. Share your build in the comments — we would love to see what you create!