How to Install Elementor Template kit using Free plugins

What Is an Elementor Template Kit and Why Use One?

An Elementor template kit is a collection of pre-designed page templates, section layouts, and global style settings built specifically for the Elementor page builder. Instead of designing every page from scratch, you import the kit and get a complete design system in minutes.

Template kits are available from Envato Elements, Themeforest, the official Elementor library, and other marketplaces. They download as a single ZIP file containing all the page templates, header and footer layouts, and any associated assets you need.

Here is why they are worth using:

• They save hours of design time on every project
• They are mobile-responsive and generally built with SEO best practices in mind
• They are far cheaper than buying a premium theme
• They give beginners a professional starting point without needing design skills
• You can customise every element using Elementor’s visual editor
• The Elementor community regularly updates popular kits with new designs and features

The one thing to watch: some kits list Elementor Pro as a requirement for certain sections. But as you will see in this guide, you can get around most of those requirements using free plugins.

Plugins You Need Before You Start

Before you touch the template kit ZIP file, make sure the following free plugins are installed and activated on your WordPress site. Missing even one of these can cause the import to fail.

1. Elementor (free version) — the core page builder plugin. Install it from Plugins > Add New inside your WordPress dashboard.
2. Template Kit Import — this is the key plugin that lets you upload and install a template kit ZIP file without needing Elementor Pro. Search for it in the WordPress plugin directory.
3. Header Footer Builder for Elementor (or Elementskit Lite) — because the free Elementor plugin does not include a dynamic header and footer builder, you need one of these free add-ons to set up site-wide header and footer templates from your kit.

Also recommended:

• Hello Elementor theme — this is Elementor’s own free lightweight theme and it is the best base for any template kit. Install it from Appearance > Themes > Add New.
• Any additional plugins listed in the kit’s requirements section — check the kit documentation before you start, as some kits need free plugins like Contact Form 7 or a slider plugin to display certain sections correctly.

Once everything is installed and activated, you are ready to import.

How to Download Your Elementor Template Kit

You can get Elementor template kits from several sources. The most popular options are Envato Elements, Themeforest, and the official Elementor template library.

For Envato Elements, you will need an active subscription to download kits. Once you find a kit you like, click Download and save the ZIP file to your computer.

Important: do not unzip the file. The Template Kit Import plugin needs the ZIP file exactly as downloaded to work properly. Unzipping it before uploading is one of the most common mistakes beginners make and it will cause the import to fail.

Step-by-Step: Installing the Template Kit in WordPress

Follow these steps in order and you will have your template kit installed and ready to customise.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New and install and activate both Elementor and the Template Kit Import plugin if you have not already done so.
3. In your WordPress dashboard, look for the Template Kits menu item (it appears after you activate the Template Kit Import plugin).
4. Click Import Kit and then Upload Kit.
5. Select the ZIP file you downloaded from Envato Elements or your chosen marketplace. Do not unzip it first.
6. Click Upload and the plugin will begin importing the kit. This may take a minute or two depending on the size of the kit and your server speed.
7. Once imported, the templates will appear in Templates > Saved Templates inside your WordPress dashboard.
8. Now install the Hello Elementor theme if you have not already: go to Appearance > Themes > Add New, search for Hello Elementor, install, and activate.
9. Install your free header and footer builder plugin (Header Footer Builder for Elementor or Elementskit Lite).
10. Use your chosen header and footer plugin to assign the header and footer templates from the kit to your entire website.

How to Apply Imported Templates to Your Pages

After the import is complete, your kit templates are saved but not yet published on any live page. Here is how to apply them:

1. Go to Pages > Add New and create a new page (for example: Home, Services, or Contact).
2. Open the page in the Elementor editor.
3. Click the folder icon (Add Template) in the Elementor panel.
4. Go to the My Templates tab and find the imported kit templates.
5. Click Insert on the template you want to apply.
6. Customise the content, colours, and images to match your client’s brand.
7. Click Publish when you are happy with the result.

Repeat this process for each page you want to build — Home, Services, About, Contact, and so on.

How to Fix Common Template Kit Import Errors

If the import fails or you see error messages, do not worry — this is very common and almost always fixable. Here are the most frequent issues and how to sort them out.

Error: Import fails or times out

This is usually caused by low PHP configuration limits on your hosting server. Ask your hosting provider to increase these values:

• max_execution_time to 300
• memory_limit to 512M
• post_max_size to 128M
• upload_max_filesize to 128M

Error: Some sections show as broken or missing

This happens when a section of the kit requires Elementor Pro widgets that are not available in the free version. In most cases you can replace the Pro widget with a free alternative plugin. For example, if a section uses Elementor Pro’s form widget, you can replace it with a free contact form plugin like WPForms Lite or Contact Form 7.

Error: Cannot import the entire kit at once

If the full kit import fails, you can import templates one at a time manually. Go to Templates > Saved Templates > Add New and import each template file individually from the kit’s ZIP contents.

Error: White screen after import

Again, this is almost always a PHP memory issue. Contact your host and ask them to increase the PHP memory limit.

Building Your Pages from the Imported Kit

Once your templates are imported and your header and footer are set up site-wide, building out the rest of your website is straightforward.

In my experience working on local business sites, most clients need three to five core pages: Home, About, Services, Contact, and sometimes a Blog. The template kit will usually include ready-made layouts for all of these.

Here is a simple workflow I use:

1. Create all your main pages in WordPress (Pages > Add New) without any content.
2. Open each page in the Elementor editor and insert the relevant kit template.
3. Replace placeholder text with your client’s real copy — business name, services, phone number, address.
4. Swap out stock images for your client’s real photos.
5. Update the colour palette in Elementor’s global settings to match the client’s brand colours.
6. Set up the navigation menu in Appearance > Menus to link all pages together.
7. Preview the site on mobile before going live — most kits are responsive but always double-check.

That is genuinely all there is to it. A clean, professional small business website in a fraction of the time it would take to design from scratch.

Tips for Customising Your Template Kit in Elementor

Getting the template live is only half the job. Here are the customisation tips I always use on client sites to make a kit feel unique and on-brand.

• Update global fonts and colours first: Go to Elementor > Site Settings > Global Fonts and Global Colors. Changing these in one place updates the entire site automatically.
• Do not delete placeholder sections you are unsure about — hide them first using the Hide on Device options in Elementor, then decide later.
• Always check the kit’s required plugins list. Missing a required plugin often explains why certain sections look broken or unstyled.
• Use the Hello Elementor theme for the cleanest result. Avoid using heavy themes with built-in page builders as they can conflict with the kit’s styles.
• Keep the number of extra plugins minimal. Every plugin you add is another potential point of failure and can slow the site down.
• Before going live, run the site through Google PageSpeed Insights to check for performance issues. Template kits can sometimes load large images by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install an Elementor template kit without Elementor Pro?

Yes, you can install most Elementor template kits using only the free Elementor plugin and the free Template Kit Import plugin. Some sections within a kit may use Pro-only widgets, but you can usually replace those with free plugin alternatives. Always check the kit’s requirements before downloading.

What is the Template Kit Import plugin and where do I get it?

The Template Kit Import plugin is a free WordPress plugin that lets you upload and install Elementor template kit ZIP files directly from your WordPress dashboard. You can find it by going to Plugins > Add New and searching for Template Kit Import.

Why does my Elementor template kit import fail?

The most common reason for a failed import is low PHP limits on your hosting server. Ask your host to increase max_execution_time to 300, memory_limit to 512M, and upload_max_filesize to 128M. If the full import still fails, try importing templates from the kit one at a time manually.

Do I need to unzip the template kit file before uploading it?

No. Keep the template kit as a ZIP file when you upload it. The Template Kit Import plugin reads the ZIP file directly. Unzipping it before uploading is a common mistake that causes the import to fail.

Which theme works best with Elementor template kits?

The Hello Elementor theme is the best option. It is a free, lightweight theme designed specifically by the Elementor team to work seamlessly with template kits. It loads fast, does not add unnecessary styling, and gives you a clean canvas to work with.

Where can I find Elementor template kits to download?

Elementor template kits are available from Envato Elements, Themeforest, and the official Elementor template library. Envato Elements requires a subscription but gives you access to a huge library of kits. Some marketplaces also offer individual kits for one-time purchase.

How do I add a header and footer from the template kit to the whole site?

Since the free Elementor plugin does not include a dynamic header and footer builder, you need a free plugin such as Header Footer Builder for Elementor or Elementskit Lite. Install one of these, then use it to assign the header and footer templates from your kit to display across your entire website.

Final Thoughts

Thanks so much for reading all the way through — I really hope this guide saves you hours of frustration and gets your WordPress site looking great without needing to spend a cent on Elementor Pro. If you want to see every step done live, make sure you watch the full video tutorial I have embedded above. Seeing it in action makes the whole process click much faster than reading alone. Got a question or ran into an error I did not cover? Drop it in the comments below and I will do my best to help you sort it out. And if you would like me to set up your template kit for you, feel free to get in touch — I have done this on hundreds of client sites and I am happy to take it off your hands.