Switch from Elementor to Gutenberg

Making the switch from Elementor to Gutenberg isn’t just a trend – it’s a strategic move toward better performance and future-proof website management.

George Leon

December 26, 2024

Ready to reduce plugin dependencies, improve page load times, and align with WordPress’s native ecosystem? This guide will show you how to make the switch to Gutenberg the right way.

Why make the switch?

Faster page load times due to cleaner code output
Better core WordPress integration and future compatibility
Reduced plugin dependencies and potential security issues
Lower hosting requirements and server load
Native integration with WordPress themes and features

Choosing your migration approach

I strongly recommend starting with a fresh WordPress installation rather than converting your existing site directly. Here’s why this approach yields better results:

Benefits of a fresh start

Build on a clean, optimized database without Elementor residue
Restructure your content more effectively
Avoid potential conflicts with old Elementor data
Achieve better performance from day one
Create a more maintainable website for the long term

When direct conversion might be necessary

Complex third-party integrations that must be preserved
Time constraints requiring a faster transition
Budget limitations affecting development resources
Complex user data that needs to be maintained

Before You Begin

You’ll need a complete backup of your existing site before proceeding. This means backing up both your file system and database. You can create these backups through:

Your hosting platform’s backup tools (most hosts provide this)
Your hosting company’s support team
A WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy
Manual backup through phpMyAdmin and FTP

Next, create a content inventory (like in a spreadsheet) documenting:

All pages and posts
Custom post types if you have any
Reusable blocks and templates
Custom code (CSS, JavaScript, PHP)
Key functionality requiring special attention:
- Contact forms and form integrations
- Membership features
- E-commerce components
- Event calendars
- Booking systems
- Social media integrations
- Newsletter signups
- Custom search implementations

Fresh installation process

Create a fresh WordPress environment in a development or staging area. This helps you build the new site without affecting your live Elementor site.

Your hosting provider should allow you to spin up a new WordPress installation for this.

Installing essential tools

On the new WordPress install, start with a minimal set of plugins to ensure optimal performance:

Your chosen WordPress theme. I recommend the default 2025 theme.
Essential plugins from your old site (skip Elementor and related addons)
Any crucial functionality plugins identified in your inventory

Rebuilding your content

Now comes the main work: recreating your content in Gutenberg. I recommend this order:

Start with templates

Begin by setting up your key templates in Gutenberg:

Header and footer layouts
Page templates for different content types
Archive and search result layouts
Single post/page layouts
Custom post type templates

Core content migration

Move through your content systematically:

Start with your homepage
Move to key landing pages
Convert blog posts
Tackle remaining pages
Finally, handle special content types

Handling Elementor elements

Most Elementor elements have direct Gutenberg equivalents:

Columns convert to column blocks
Image galleries become gallery blocks
Icon blocks can use SVG blocks
Buttons convert to button blocks
Text widgets become paragraph blocks

Custom functionality

For features requiring custom code:

Move any custom CSS to your theme or use the Fluent Snippets plugin (that’s what I use).
Add JavaScript through proper WordPress enqueuing (Fluent Snippets handles this)
Convert PHP functionality into proper theme functions (Or use Fluent Snippets)

Testing your new site

Before launching, thoroughly test every aspect of your rebuilt site:

Functionality testing

Test all forms and their submissions
Verify all integrations work correctly
Check user roles and permissions
Confirm all custom post types display correctly
Test search functionality
Verify all interactive elements work

Visual testing

Compare against original site design
Check responsive behavior on multiple devices
Test across different browsers
Verify font rendering and typography
Ensure consistent spacing and alignment
Check image loading and optimization

Performance testing

Run speed tests using tools like GTmetrix
Check Core Web Vitals scores
Verify server response times
Monitor memory usage
Test database query performance

Launch preparation

After testing, prepare for the switchover:

Final checks

Update all permalinks
Verify SSL configuration
Check robots.txt and sitemap
Update any hardcoded URLs
Test all external service connections

SEO preservation

Set up 301 redirects if URLs changed
Update internal links
Preserve meta descriptions
Maintain schema markup
Keep social media meta tags

Need help with your migration?

While this guide provides a roadmap for DIY migration, many businesses choose professional help for a smoother transition. I specialize in Elementor to Gutenberg migrations:

My migration process

Thorough initial site audit
Custom migration strategy
Development in staging environment
Comprehensive testing
Managed launch process
Post-launch support

Why choose my service?

Years of WordPress migration experience
Zero downtime during transition
Performance optimization included
SEO preservation guaranteed
Extended support after launch

Ready to discuss your migration? Contact me for a free consultation. I’ll evaluate your site and provide a detailed migration plan tailored to your needs.

Let’s talk

Let us migrate your site from Elementor to Gutenberg

FAQs

Transparency from day one.

How long will it take?

Custom website projects typically run between 4 to 12 weeks.

How long does the migration take?

A DIY migration typically takes 3-6 weeks depending on your site’s complexity and available time. Professional migrations usually take 2-4 weeks, with larger sites requiring up to 2 months for a complete migration.

Will my site be down during migration?

Not if done correctly. When using our recommended fresh installation approach, your current site remains live while we build the new version in a staging environment. The switchover itself takes only minutes.

What happens to my SEO rankings?

When properly executed, a migration should have minimal impact on SEO. We maintain all meta data, set up proper redirects, and preserve your content structure. Some fluctuations are normal in the first few weeks but typically stabilize quickly.

Can I keep using Elementor on some pages?

While technically possible, I don’t recommend it. Running both editors can lead to performance issues, maintenance complications, and inconsistent user experience. It’s better to complete the full migration.

How much does professional migration cost?

Migration costs vary based on your site’s size and complexity. Small business sites typically range from $1,500 to $3,000, while larger sites with custom functionality may range from $3,000 to $8,000+. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Do I need to learn to code?

No. Gutenberg provides a visual editing experience similar to Elementor. While some knowledge of HTML and CSS can be helpful, it’s not required for most content creation tasks.

What about my custom designs?

Elementor designs can be recreated in Gutenberg.

What our clients say

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