How to Build a WordPress Site with Figma and Elementor in 2026

Building a WordPress site used to mean choosing between beautiful designs that took forever to develop or quick builds that looked generic. Not anymore. The Figma-to-Elementor workflow has changed everything for designers and developers who want both speed and pixel-perfect results.

Whether you’re a freelancer launching client sites, an agency scaling your output, or a designer tired of watching developers misinterpret your mockups, this guide walks you through the complete process. You’ll learn how to build a WordPress site with Figma and Elementor from initial concept to live launch including the shortcuts that can save you 10+ hours per project.

By the end, you’ll have a repeatable system that transforms Figma designs into fully functional WordPress websites. Let’s break down the entire workflow, starting with why this combination has become the gold standard for modern web development.

Why Figma and Elementor Work So Well Together

The Figma-Elementor combination isn’t just popular—it’s practically purpose-built for modern web workflows. Understanding why these tools complement each other helps you leverage their strengths throughout your build process.

Design Fidelity Meets Development Flexibility

Figma gives you unlimited creative control with vectors, auto-layout, and component systems that mirror how real websites behave. Elementor receives those designs and provides a visual builder that speaks the same language: containers, flexbox, responsive breakpoints.

This alignment means you’re not fighting against tool limitations. A design created with auto-layout in Figma translates naturally to Elementor’s container system. Spacing, alignment, and responsive behavior follow logical patterns between both platforms.

The Collaboration Advantage

Before this workflow existed, designers handed off static mockups and hoped for the best. Developers interpreted specs differently, clients requested changes that required redesigns, and projects dragged on for weeks.

Now, Figma serves as the single source of truth. Developers can inspect exact values—colors, typography, spacing—directly from the design file. When changes happen, they’re visible instantly. For a detailed breakdown of how to manage these handoffs efficiently, check our complete guide to Figma to Elementor workflows.

Speed Without Sacrifice

Traditional custom WordPress development requires writing PHP templates, CSS files, and JavaScript from scratch. A 5-page marketing site might take 40-60 hours of development time.

The Figma-to-Elementor approach cuts this dramatically. Elementor’s visual builder eliminates most custom coding, while Figma’s design precision means fewer revision cycles. Teams report completing similar projects in 15-20 hours—sometimes faster when using automation tools like Figmentor to handle the conversion process.

Phase 1: Setting Up Your Figma Design Foundation

Before opening WordPress, you need a Figma file structured for web development success. This isn’t about design aesthetics—it’s about creating files that translate cleanly to working websites.

Creating a Web-Ready Figma File

Start with a new Figma file dedicated to this project. Resist the temptation to repurpose presentation mockups or branding explorations. Web-ready files have specific requirements:

Frame Setup:

• Desktop frame: 1440px width (matches common Elementor breakpoint)
• Tablet frame: 1024px width
• Mobile frame: 375px width

Create separate frames for each page at each breakpoint. Yes, this means more initial work, but it prevents responsive disasters later. Elementor needs clear guidance on how elements should behave across devices.

Color and Typography Systems:

Define your design tokens before building pages:

This mapping matters. When you maintain consistent naming between Figma styles and Elementor global settings, updates propagate cleanly across your entire site.

Structuring Components for Reuse

Figma components translate to Elementor’s saved templates and global widgets. Think about reusability from the start:

Header Component: Create a single header component with variants for:

• Default state
• Scrolled state (if using sticky header)
• Mobile menu open state

Footer Component: Build footer sections as nested components. A typical structure:

• Footer/Contact (address, phone, email)
• Footer/Navigation (sitemap links)
• Footer/Social (icon links)
• Footer/Legal (copyright, policy links)

Card Patterns: If your design uses repeating card layouts (blog posts, services, team members), create a single card component with:

• Image container (fixed aspect ratio)
• Content area (title, description, link)
• Hover state variant

For advanced component architecture that scales across large projects, our Figma components to Elementor guide covers the full strategy.

Using Auto-Layout Correctly

Auto-layout is where Figma truly shines for web development. It mirrors CSS flexbox, which Elementor uses extensively.

Rules for Web-Ready Auto-Layout:

1. Always use auto-layout for content containers. Static positioning creates translation nightmares.

2. Set specific gap values, not “auto.” Elementor needs explicit spacing to match your design.

3. Use padding, not margins, for internal spacing. This matches how Elementor containers handle space.

4. Define min/max widths for flexible elements. Text blocks should have constraints that prevent awkward line lengths.

Here’s a practical example for a hero section:

Hero Section (Auto-layout: Vertical, Gap: 32px, Padding: 64px)
├── Content Wrapper (Auto-layout: Vertical, Gap: 24px, Max-width: 600px)
│   ├── Headline (Text, Fill width)
│   ├── Subheadline (Text, Fill width)
│   └── CTA Group (Auto-layout: Horizontal, Gap: 16px)
│       ├── Primary Button
│       └── Secondary Button
└── Hero Image (Fixed aspect ratio: 16:9)

This structure converts cleanly to Elementor containers with matching flexbox settings.

Phase 2: WordPress and Elementor Environment Setup

With your Figma design ready, it’s time to prepare WordPress. A clean setup now prevents headaches during the build.

WordPress Installation Requirements

For optimal Elementor performance, ensure your WordPress installation meets these specs:

• WordPress Version: 6.0 or higher (6.4+ recommended)
• PHP Version: 8.0 or higher
• Memory Limit: 256MB minimum (512MB for complex sites)
• Max Upload Size: 64MB (for importing templates)

Most quality hosts handle these automatically. If you’re using shared hosting, check your PHP settings in cPanel or contact support.

Elementor Setup and Configuration

Install Elementor (free version works, but Pro unlocks critical features). Then configure these settings immediately:

Settings > General:

• Default Generic Fonts: Set to match your design’s fallback font
• Content Width: 1140px (or match your Figma frame width)
• Stretched Section Fit To: Full Width

Settings > Integrations:

• Enable Google Fonts or upload custom fonts
• Connect to your preferred image optimizer

Settings > Features:

• Enable Flexbox Container (essential for modern layouts)
• Enable Grid Container (for complex grid designs)
• Disable legacy features you won’t use

Theme Selection Strategy

Your theme choice impacts everything from performance to design flexibility. For Elementor builds, you have three solid options:

Hello Elementor (Recommended): The official blank canvas theme. Zero styling conflicts, minimal footprint, designed specifically for Elementor. Use this unless you have a specific reason not to.

Astra: More built-in features if you need header/footer builders beyond Elementor. Slightly heavier but well-optimized.

GeneratePress: Similar to Astra with excellent performance. Good choice if you need schema markup features.

For most Figma-to-Elementor projects, Hello Elementor provides the cleanest starting point. You’re building custom designs anyway—you don’t need theme features getting in the way.

Creating Your Global Design System

Before building pages, replicate your Figma design tokens in Elementor:

Site Settings > Global Colors: Add colors matching your Figma palette. Use identical names:

• Primary (your main brand color)
• Secondary (accent color)
• Text (default body text)
• Text Light (secondary text)
• Background (page background)
• Background Alt (card backgrounds, sections)

Site Settings > Global Fonts: Configure typography that matches Figma:

• Primary: Your heading font family
• Secondary: Your body font family
• Text: Default paragraph settings
• Accent: Any decorative fonts

Site Settings > Typography: Set default sizes for each element:

• H1: Size, weight, line height from Figma
• H2: Size, weight, line height from Figma
• (Continue through H6)
• Paragraph: Size, line height, letter spacing

This upfront configuration means every element you add automatically inherits correct styling. No more manually adjusting fonts on every text block.

Phase 3: Converting Figma Designs to Elementor Pages

Now comes the actual build. This phase determines whether your final site matches the design or falls into “close enough” territory.

The Section-by-Section Approach

Don’t try to build an entire page at once. Work through your Figma design section by section:

1. Hero Section - The most complex, usually requires most attention
2. Feature/Benefits Sections - Often use repeated patterns
3. Social Proof - Testimonials, logos, case studies
4. Content Sections - Text-heavy informational areas
5. Call-to-Action Sections - Conversion-focused areas
6. Footer - Navigation, contact, legal

For each section, follow this process:

Step 1: Create Container Structure

In Elementor, add a new container. Set its layout direction (row or column) to match the Figma auto-layout direction. Apply the same gap and padding values.

Step 2: Add Nested Containers

If your Figma section has nested auto-layout frames, add nested containers in Elementor. Match the hierarchy exactly.

Step 3: Insert Content Widgets

Add heading, text, image, and button widgets. Don’t style them yet—just get content in place.

Step 4: Apply Styling

Now adjust each element to match Figma specs:

• Typography (font, size, weight, line height, letter spacing)
• Colors (use global colors where possible)
• Spacing (margin, padding)
• Effects (shadows, borders, border radius)

Matching Figma Values Exactly

Elementor and Figma don’t use identical terminology. Here’s the translation guide:

Pro tip: Figma measures in pixels by default. Elementor accepts px, em, rem, and percentages. Stick with px during initial builds for accuracy, then convert to relative units for responsiveness if needed.

Handling Complex Layouts

Some designs challenge straightforward conversion. Here are solutions for common scenarios:

Overlapping Elements:

Figma allows absolute positioning for overlaps. In Elementor, use:

• Negative margins to pull elements over adjacent content
• Position: Absolute on specific widgets (Advanced > Position)
• CSS transforms for precise control

Grid-Based Layouts:

Elementor’s Grid Container handles multi-column/row layouts better than nested flex containers. For a 3-column feature grid:

1. Add Grid Container
2. Set columns: 3
3. Set rows: Auto
4. Set gap: Match Figma gap value
5. Add widgets—they’ll flow into grid cells

Responsive Stacking:

Mobile layouts often stack elements that sit side-by-side on desktop. Configure this per-container:

• Click container in responsive mode
• Change Flex Direction from Row to Column
• Adjust gap and alignment for mobile

For complex responsive behaviors, explore our responsive design with Figma and Elementor tutorial.

Automation Opportunities

Manual conversion works, but it’s time-intensive. A 5-page site with 8 sections per page means 40+ section translations. Each section might have 5-15 elements requiring individual styling.

This is where tools like Figmentor change the equation. Instead of manually recreating every container, widget, and style setting, automated conversion:

• Exports Figma frames with preserved structure
• Converts auto-layout to Elementor containers automatically
• Maps typography and color tokens
• Generates responsive breakpoints

The result: a 4-hour manual conversion becomes a 15-minute process with cleanup. You still need to review and adjust, but the foundation is built instantly.

Phase 4: Adding Functionality and Interactivity

A static page isn’t a website. Now you’ll add the dynamic elements that make sites functional.

Navigation and Menu Setup

Creating the Main Menu:

1. Go to Appearance > Menus in WordPress
2. Create a new menu named “Primary Navigation”
3. Add pages, custom links, or categories
4. Set display location to “Primary Menu”

Building Navigation in Elementor:

Use the Nav Menu widget (Pro) or build custom navigation with containers:

For a simple horizontal menu:

• Add container with Row direction
• Insert Nav Menu widget
• Style to match Figma header design
• Set mobile breakpoint for hamburger menu

For custom mega menus, you’ll need additional CSS or a plugin like Max Mega Menu. Our Elementor navigation guide covers advanced patterns.

Forms and Lead Capture

Contact forms and lead capture are essential for most sites. Elementor Form widget (Pro) handles most needs:

Basic Contact Form Setup:

1. Add Form widget to page
2. Configure fields (Name, Email, Message minimum)
3. Set form actions (Email notification, redirect, webhook)
4. Style to match Figma design

Integration Options:

Connect forms to email marketing and CRM tools:

• Mailchimp (direct integration)
• HubSpot (via webhook or plugin)
• ActiveCampaign (via webhook)
• Zapier (connects to anything)

For non-Pro users, WPForms or Contact Form 7 integrate well with Elementor.

Animations and Motion

Figma prototypes include transitions, but these don’t automatically transfer to Elementor. Add motion strategically:

Scroll Animations:

Elementor’s Motion Effects handle common patterns:

• Fade In: Elements appear as they enter viewport
• Slide In: Horizontal or vertical entrance
• Zoom: Scale up from smaller size
• Rotate: Spin into view

Apply sparingly. One animated element per screen section is usually enough.

Hover Effects:

Buttons, cards, and images benefit from hover states:

• Transform: Scale up slightly (1.02-1.05)
• Shadow: Increase shadow depth
• Color: Shift background or text color
• Move: Translate position slightly

Match effects to what you designed in Figma. Consistency matters—don’t add animations that aren’t in the approved design.

Dynamic Content Setup

If your site includes a blog, portfolio, or other dynamic content:

Blog Configuration:

1. Create Posts > Categories for organization
2. Set up a Blog Archive template in Elementor Theme Builder
3. Design Single Post template for individual articles
4. Create Archive template for category/tag pages

Custom Post Types:

For portfolios, team members, services, or testimonials:

1. Use ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) or CPT UI
2. Create custom fields for your content model
3. Build archive and single templates in Elementor
4. Use Dynamic Tags to pull field data into widgets

This architecture creates sites that clients can update without touching Elementor.

Phase 5: Optimization and Performance

A beautiful site that loads slowly is a failed site. Performance optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential for user experience and SEO.

Image Optimization

Images cause most performance problems. Optimize before and after upload:

Before Upload:

• Export from Figma at 2x resolution (for retina displays)
• Compress with TinyPNG or ImageOptim
• Use WebP format when possible
• Name files descriptively (hero-banner-homepage.webp not IMG_0293.jpg)

After Upload:

• Install ShortPixel, Imagify, or Smush
• Enable lazy loading (Elementor includes this)
• Set explicit width/height to prevent layout shift

Image Size Guidelines:

Caching and Delivery

Implement caching to serve pages faster:

Plugin Options:

• WP Rocket (paid, easiest setup)
• LiteSpeed Cache (free if hosting supports)
• W3 Total Cache (free, more complex)

CDN Integration: CloudFlare’s free tier provides:

• Global content delivery
• Basic DDoS protection
• Automatic image optimization (with Polish)
• Minification

For sites targeting specific regions (check your traffic potential data), CDN distribution ensures fast loads worldwide.

Core Web Vitals

Google measures site experience through Core Web Vitals. Target these scores:

Common LCP Fixes:

• Preload hero image: Add <link rel="preload"> in theme
• Optimize server response: Better hosting or caching
• Remove render-blocking resources: Defer non-critical CSS/JS

CLS Fixes:

• Set explicit image dimensions
• Reserve space for ads and embeds
• Avoid inserting content above existing content

Run Google PageSpeed Insights after launch and address any failing metrics.

Mobile Performance

Mobile performance often differs from desktop. Test specifically:

• Load site on actual mobile device (not just browser emulation)
• Check touch target sizes (48x48px minimum)
• Verify forms work on mobile keyboards
• Test on 3G connection simulation

For comprehensive mobile optimization strategies, see our mobile-first Elementor design guide.

Phase 6: Launch Preparation and Quality Assurance

Before going live, systematic testing prevents embarrassing issues.

Pre-Launch Checklist

Content Review:

• All placeholder text replaced with real content
• Images have descriptive alt text
• Links point to correct destinations
• Contact information is accurate
• Legal pages exist (Privacy Policy, Terms)

Functionality Testing:

• All forms submit correctly
• Email notifications arrive
• Navigation works on all devices
• Search functions properly (if applicable)
• 404 page exists and is styled

SEO Essentials:

• Yoast or RankMath installed and configured
• Meta titles and descriptions set
• XML sitemap generated
• Google Search Console connected
• Analytics tracking installed

Technical Verification:

• SSL certificate active (HTTPS)
• Redirects configured (www vs non-www)
• Backup system active
• Security plugin installed
• PHP error logging disabled for production

Browser Testing

Test across common browsers:

• Chrome (desktop and mobile)
• Safari (desktop and iOS)
• Firefox
• Edge

Use BrowserStack or LambdaTest for devices you don’t own. Pay special attention to:

• Font rendering differences
• Flexbox/Grid support (older browsers)
• Form styling variations
• Scroll behavior

Speed Final Check

Run final performance tests:

1. Google PageSpeed Insights (desktop and mobile)
2. GTmetrix (waterfall analysis)
3. WebPageTest (multiple locations)

Document your scores. A baseline helps identify future regressions if performance drops after updates.

Maintaining and Scaling Your Workflow

Building one site is a project. Building many sites efficiently is a system.

Documenting Your Process

After your first successful build, document what worked:

• Figma file structure template
• Elementor global settings export
• Custom CSS snippets for common patterns
• Plugin configuration notes
• Performance optimization checklist

This documentation becomes your agency’s competitive advantage—or your freelance superpower.

Creating Reusable Assets

Build a library of templates for future projects:

Elementor Templates:

• Save sections you build frequently
• Create page templates for common layouts
• Export kits for client handoffs

Figma Templates:

• Build starter files with design token systems
• Create component libraries for common patterns
• Document naming conventions

Automating Where Possible

As project volume increases, manual conversion becomes a bottleneck. Consider automation at two levels:

Design-to-Code Automation: Tools that convert Figma to Elementor automatically, like Figmentor, handle repetitive structural work. You focus on refinement rather than recreation.

Deployment Automation:

• WordPress staging environments for safe testing
• Git-based deployment workflows
• Automated backup and rollback systems

Continuous Learning

The Figma-to-Elementor ecosystem evolves constantly. Stay current:

• Follow Figma and Elementor official blogs
• Join designer and developer communities
• Test new features in sandbox projects
• Attend webinars and online workshops

Our Figma to WordPress blog section publishes regular updates on workflow improvements.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced builders hit these pitfalls. Learn from others’ errors:

Mistake 1: Ignoring Mobile From the Start

Designing desktop-first and “making it responsive later” always fails. Mobile constraints should inform desktop design, not vice versa.

Solution: Design mobile frames in Figma first, then expand to tablet and desktop. This ensures content hierarchy works at all sizes.

Mistake 2: Over-Customizing Elementor

Adding 20 plugins, custom code snippets, and CSS overrides creates fragile sites that break on updates.

Solution: Use Elementor’s built-in features first. Only add plugins when native functionality truly can’t solve the problem.

Mistake 3: Skipping Design Tokens

Building pages with hardcoded colors and fonts means changing the brand color requires editing 200+ elements.

Solution: Always set up global colors and typography before building. Use them consistently. Updates then take seconds.

Mistake 4: Not Testing Forms

Forms that look correct but don’t actually send emails happen constantly. Clients discover this when they’ve missed a week of leads.

Solution: Submit test entries through every form. Verify emails arrive. Test on different devices. Check spam folders.

Mistake 5: Launching Without Backups

One plugin conflict or failed update shouldn’t destroy your work. But without backups, it can.

Solution: Install UpdraftPlus or BlogVault before launch. Configure automated daily backups. Test restoration process.

Conclusion: Your Figma-to-Elementor Launch System

Building WordPress sites with Figma and Elementor isn’t just faster—it’s more reliable. When designs and builds share a common language, projects stay on spec and on schedule.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Set up your Figma template with proper frame sizes, design tokens, and component structure
2. Configure WordPress and Elementor with global colors, typography, and optimized settings
3. Build section by section, matching Figma specifications exactly
4. Add functionality through forms, navigation, and dynamic content
5. Optimize performance before launch with caching, compression, and Core Web Vitals fixes
6. Test thoroughly across devices and browsers
7. Document and templatize your process for future projects

The first build takes longest. Each subsequent project benefits from refined templates, clearer processes, and accumulated expertise.

For teams converting multiple designs weekly, automation tools like Figmentor eliminate the most time-consuming manual steps. What once took hours of painstaking recreation happens in minutes, leaving more time for the creative refinements that actually improve the final product.

Start with your next project. Apply this workflow. Measure the time difference. Then scale what works.

Related Articles

• Figma to Elementor: Complete Conversion Guide
• How to Convert Figma Components to Elementor Widgets
• Responsive Design: Figma to Elementor Best Practices
• Elementor Navigation Design Patterns
• Mobile-First Elementor Design Strategies
• Figma Auto-Layout to Elementor Containers
• WordPress Performance Optimization Guide
• Figma Design Systems for WordPress
• Elementor Theme Builder Complete Tutorial
• Figma to WordPress: Export Best Practices
• Elementor Pro Features for Web Designers
• Web Design Workflow Optimization Tips
• Figma Plugins for WordPress Developers
• How to Create Elementor Templates from Scratch
• SEO Optimization for Elementor Websites