Why Elementor is Not Helpful for Better Speed Optimization
Why Elementor is Not Helpful for Better Speed Optimization
Feb 20th, 2025
By, Editorial Team
WordPress
In the world of WordPress page builders, Elementor stands out as one of the most popular tools for creating visually stunning websites without requiring extensive coding knowledge. With its drag-and-drop interface and a wide array of widgets, templates, and customization options, Elementor has become the go-to choice for many website owners, designers, and developers. However, despite its popularity, Elementor often comes under scrutiny when it comes to speed optimization . While it excels in design flexibility, it struggles to deliver optimal performance, particularly for websites aiming for lightning-fast load times.
This blog post will delve deep into why Elementor is not helpful for better speed optimization , exploring its inherent limitations and how they impact website performance. We’ll also provide actionable solutions to mitigate these issues, ensuring that your website remains both visually appealing and fast-loading. By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by Elementor and how to address them effectively.
1. Heavy JavaScript and CSS Files
One of the most significant contributors to slow page load times when using Elementor is the sheer volume of JavaScript and CSS files it loads by default. Even if you’re not utilizing all of Elementor’s features, the plugin still injects numerous scripts and stylesheets into your website. These files are essential for powering the page builder’s functionality, but they can significantly increase the overall size of your web pages.
1.1 Why This Matters
1.1.1 Increased HTTP Requests
Every JavaScript and CSS file added to your website requires a separate HTTP request to load. For example, if your page loads 20 different scripts and stylesheets, the browser must send 20 individual requests to the server. The more requests your server has to handle, the longer it takes for the page to fully load. This is especially problematic for users with slower internet connections or those accessing your site from remote locations where network latency is high. Each additional request adds milliseconds—or even seconds—to your page load time, which can quickly add up and frustrate visitors.
1.1.2 Larger Page Size
Heavy JavaScript and CSS files significantly increase the total size of your webpage. For instance, a single unoptimized CSS file might be several hundred kilobytes, while multiple JavaScript libraries can easily exceed a megabyte. When combined, these files make your webpage much larger than necessary. This becomes a major issue for users on mobile devices or with limited bandwidth, as their devices struggle to download and process the large amount of data. A bloated page not only takes longer to load but also consumes more of the user’s data plan, which can lead to dissatisfaction.
1.1.3 Delayed Rendering
Large JavaScript and CSS files take longer to download, which delays the rendering of your page content. For example, if a critical CSS file is 500KB, the browser must wait until it’s fully downloaded before it can start displaying the page layout. Similarly, heavy JavaScript files block the DOM (Document Object Model) from being fully interactive until they’re processed. This creates a noticeable lag between when a user lands on your page and when they can actually see or interact with the content. Such delays harm the user experience, leading to frustration and potentially causing visitors to leave your site.
1.1.4 SEO Impact
Search engines like Google prioritize fast-loading websites in their rankings because speed is a key factor in user satisfaction. If your website is slowed down by excessive JavaScript and CSS files, it may rank lower in search results, reducing your visibility and organic traffic. Google’s Core Web Vitals , such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and First Input Delay (FID) , are directly affected by slow-loading resources. Poor performance in these metrics can result in lower SEO scores, making it harder for potential visitors to find your site.
1.1.5 User Experience
Modern internet users expect websites to load within 2-3 seconds. If your site takes longer due to heavy files, visitors are likely to abandon it before it even finishes loading. Studies show that even a 1-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions . Slow pages also create a poor first impression, making your brand appear unprofessional or outdated. Users are less likely to engage with your content, fill out forms, or make purchases if they’re met with sluggish performance.
1.1.6 Conversion Rates
A slow website doesn’t just annoy users—it directly impacts your bottom line. For e-commerce sites, delayed rendering or long load times can deter customers from completing their purchases. For blogs or service-based websites, slow speeds can reduce sign-ups, form submissions, or other desired actions. Optimizing JavaScript and CSS files ensures that your website remains fast and responsive, encouraging users to stay longer and convert at higher rates.
1.2 Impact on Core Web Vitals
Google’s Core Web Vitals , such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and First Input Delay (FID) , are directly affected by heavy JavaScript and CSS files. A bloated page slows down the time it takes for the main content to load (LCP) and delays interactivity (FID), leading to poor scores and potentially harming your SEO rankings.
1.3 How to Mitigate This Issue
To reduce the impact of heavy JavaScript and CSS files, consider the following strategies:
- Minify and Combine Files : Use plugins like Autoptimize or WP Rocket to minify and combine JavaScript and CSS files, reducing their size and the number of HTTP requests.
- Defer Non-Essential Scripts : Defer the loading of non-critical JavaScript files so they don’t block the rendering of your page.
- Disable Unused Features : Disable unnecessary widgets and modules in Elementor to prevent unused scripts from being loaded.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) : Serve static assets like JavaScript and CSS files from a CDN to improve load times globally.
2. Render-Blocking Resources
Another major issue with Elementor is the presence of render-blocking resources , primarily CSS and JavaScript files that delay the rendering of your webpage. When a browser encounters render-blocking resources, it pauses the rendering process until those resources are fully downloaded and processed.
2.1 Why This Happens
Elementor relies heavily on external libraries like Font Awesome, Google Fonts, and custom CSS frameworks, which are often loaded synchronously. This means the browser must wait for these resources to fully load before rendering the page. For example, if Google Fonts or Font Awesome icons take time to fetch, the entire page display is delayed. Synchronous loading blocks critical rendering paths, causing slower page load times and negatively impacting user experience.
2.2 Impact on User Experience
Render-blocking resources often cause a phenomenon known as “flash of unstyled content” (FOUC), where users see a blank or partially styled page before the full content loads. This occurs when critical CSS and JavaScript files delay rendering, leaving the page incomplete during loading. Such an experience frustrates visitors, making the website appear broken or unprofessional. A poor first impression can lead to higher bounce rates, as users are likely to leave if the page doesn’t load quickly and smoothly, ultimately harming engagement and conversions.
2.3 How to Address Render-Blocking Resources
Here are some effective ways to tackle this problem:
- Inline Critical CSS : Identify and inline the critical CSS required for above-the-fold content, allowing the browser to render the page faster.
- Async and Defer Attributes : Add async or defer attributes to JavaScript files to ensure they don’t block rendering.
- Preload Key Resources : Use the <link rel=”preload”> tag to prioritize the loading of critical resources like fonts and stylesheets.
- Lazy Load Non-Critical Elements : Delay the loading of non-essential elements, such as images and videos, until the user scrolls to them.
3. Excessive DOM Elements
Elementor generates a significant amount of HTML markup to power its widgets and layouts, ensuring flexibility and ease of use for users. However, this often results in an excessive number of DOM elements on your webpage. For instance, even a simple section with a few widgets can produce dozens of nested HTML tags. While this markup is necessary for Elementor’s functionality, it increases the complexity of the DOM tree. A bloated DOM slows down page rendering, as browsers must parse and process each element. This not only affects load times but also impacts performance on low-end devices, where memory and processing power are limited, leading to a suboptimal user experience.
3.1 Why This is Problematic
3.1.1 Increased Parsing Time
Browsers must parse and render every DOM element on a webpage, which can significantly slow down page rendering, especially on complex pages. For example, if your page contains hundreds or thousands of nested HTML elements, the browser has to process each one before displaying the content. This creates delays, particularly for users with slower devices or internet connections. Pages with excessive DOM elements often experience sluggish interactions, such as delayed button clicks or animations, leading to a poor user experience.
3.1.2 Memory Overhead
A large DOM tree consumes more memory, which can degrade performance, especially on low-end devices like older smartphones or budget laptops. When a browser has to manage an excessive number of elements, it uses more system resources, potentially causing the page to freeze or crash. This issue is particularly problematic for users with limited hardware capabilities, as their devices may struggle to handle the heavy load, resulting in frustration and higher bounce rates.
3.1.3 SEO Implications
Search engines like Google prioritize websites with clean, efficient code. Pages with overly complex HTML structures can confuse crawlers, making it harder for them to index content accurately. For instance, if a crawler encounters a bloated DOM tree, it may fail to identify key elements like headings, meta tags, or structured data. This can negatively impact your search rankings, reducing your site’s visibility and organic traffic. Additionally, slow-rendering pages caused by excessive DOM elements can harm metrics like Core Web Vitals , further affecting SEO performance.
3.1.4 User Experience Degradation
Excessive DOM elements not only slow down rendering but also make the page feel unresponsive. Users may notice lag when scrolling, interacting with buttons, or viewing animations. This can create a perception of poor quality, driving visitors away and increasing bounce rates. Modern web users expect fast, seamless experiences, and a bloated DOM directly contradicts that expectation.
3.1.5 Maintenance Challenges
A complex DOM structure makes it harder for developers to maintain or update the website. Debugging issues, optimizing performance, or customizing layouts becomes increasingly difficult when dealing with convoluted HTML markup. This can lead to longer development times and higher costs for businesses relying on Elementor for their websites.
3.2 How to Reduce DOM Elements
To minimize the number of DOM elements generated by Elementor:
- Simplify Your Layouts : Avoid overloading your pages with unnecessary widgets and sections.
- Custom Code : Replace bulky Elementor widgets with lightweight custom code where possible.
- Audit Your Pages : Use tools like Query Monitor or GTmetrix to identify and remove redundant DOM elements.
4. Image Optimization Issues
While Elementor offers basic image optimization features, such as lazy loading and responsive image handling, these are often insufficient compared to dedicated image optimization plugins like Smush or ShortPixel. Elementor’s built-in tools lack advanced compression techniques, resulting in larger file sizes that can slow down your website. For instance, it doesn’t support modern formats like WebP, which provide superior compression and quality. Additionally, Elementor’s lazy loading may not work seamlessly with all themes or custom code, leading to inconsistent performance. Unlike specialized plugins, it also lacks bulk optimization capabilities, making it tedious to optimize images on large websites. Dedicated tools offer more control, better compression ratios, and additional features like CDN integration, ensuring faster load times and improved user experience. For optimal performance, pairing Elementor with a robust image optimization plugin is essential.
4.1 Challenges with Elementor’s Image Handling
4.1.1 Suboptimal Compression
Elementor’s built-in image compression feature is convenient but often falls short when compared to specialized optimization tools. While it reduces file sizes to some extent, the compression is not as efficient or customizable as plugins like Smush, ShortPixel, or Imagify. These dedicated tools use advanced algorithms to strike a balance between image quality and file size, achieving significantly better results. For example, Elementor may leave images slightly larger than necessary, which can slow down page load times, especially for websites with numerous high-resolution visuals. This suboptimal compression becomes a bottleneck for performance-focused websites aiming for faster speeds.
4.1.2 Limited Format Support
Another drawback of Elementor’s image handling is its lack of support for modern image formats like WebP. WebP offers superior compression and quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG or PNG, making it ideal for speeding up websites. Without native WebP support, Elementor forces users to rely on older formats, which are bulkier and less efficient. While workarounds exist—such as using third-party plugins or manually converting images—they add extra steps and complexity, detracting from the seamless experience Elementor aims to provide.
4.1.3 No Bulk Optimization
For large websites with hundreds or thousands of images, optimizing each one individually can be time-consuming and impractical. Unfortunately, Elementor lacks a bulk optimization feature, requiring users to optimize images manually or seek external solutions. This limitation makes managing media-heavy websites cumbersome and inefficient. Dedicated image optimization plugins, on the other hand, allow users to compress all images at once, saving time and effort while ensuring consistent performance across the site. These challenges highlight the need for pairing Elementor with specialized tools to achieve optimal image optimization and website speed.
4.2 How to Improve Image Optimization
- Use a Dedicated Plugin : Install a plugin like Smush or ShortPixel to compress and convert images to WebP format.
- Enable Lazy Loading : Ensure lazy loading is enabled for all images to defer their loading until they’re needed.
- Serve Images via CDN : Use a CDN to deliver optimized images quickly to users worldwide.
5. Third-Party Integrations
Elementor relies on third-party libraries and fonts like Google Fonts, Font Awesome, and external JavaScript libraries to enhance functionality. However, these integrations add extra HTTP requests and dependencies, increasing page load times. Each external resource must be fetched separately, creating delays and potential bottlenecks, especially if the third-party servers are slow or unavailable. This reliance can also raise privacy concerns due to data tracking by some scripts.
5.1 Drawbacks of Third-Party Dependencies
- Increased Load Times : Each third-party resource, such as fonts or libraries, adds to the total load time of your page. These external requests can accumulate, especially if multiple scripts are involved, leading to slower performance and a poor user experience.
- Potential Failures : If a third-party service experiences downtime, it can disrupt your website’s functionality. For example, missing fonts or broken scripts may cause layout issues or render parts of your site unusable.
- Privacy Concerns : Some third-party scripts collect user data, which raises privacy and compliance issues, particularly under regulations like GDPR. This can harm user trust and expose your site to legal risks.
5.2 How to Minimize Third-Party Dependencies
- Host Fonts Locally : Download and host Google Fonts or Font Awesome locally to eliminate external HTTP requests, improving load times and reducing dependency on third-party servers.
- Remove Unused Libraries : Audit your site to identify and remove unused third-party scripts, such as unnecessary JavaScript libraries, to reduce bloat and enhance performance.
- Use Lightweight Alternatives : Replace heavy third-party libraries with lighter, more efficient alternatives where possible, ensuring faster resource loading and a streamlined website experience.
6. Lack of Granular Control
One of the biggest frustrations for advanced users is the **lack of granular control** over performance optimization within Elementor. While the plugin provides some basic settings, such as disabling specific widgets or features, these options are often insufficient for fine-tuning. Users cannot easily disable individual scripts, optimize hardcoded styles, or manage resource loading at a detailed level, leaving them reliant on custom code or third-party tools to achieve optimal performance.
6.1 Examples of Limited Control
- No Option to Disable Specific Widgets : Elementor doesn’t allow users to globally disable individual widgets they don’t use. For instance, if you never use a specific widget like the “Icon Box,” it still loads its associated scripts and styles, adding unnecessary bloat. This limitation forces advanced users to rely on custom code or third-party plugins to remove unused features.
- Hardcoded Styles : Some styles in Elementor are hardcoded into the plugin’s core files, making them difficult to override without modifying the plugin directly. This creates challenges for developers trying to implement custom designs or optimize performance, as these styles can persist even when unwanted, leading to inefficiencies and design inconsistencies.
6.2 How to Gain More Control
- Custom Code : Use custom CSS and JavaScript to override Elementor’s default behaviours and styles, allowing for greater flexibility in design and performance optimization.
- Child Themes : Create a child theme to safely modify Elementor’s output without altering the core plugin files, ensuring updates don’t break your customizations.
- Performance Plugins : Pair Elementor with performance-focused plugins like WP Rocket or Perfmatters to gain finer control over caching, script loading, and other optimizations. These tools help mitigate Elementor’s limitations effectively.
7. FAQs
Elementor can slow down your website due to several factors, such as heavy JavaScript and CSS files, render-blocking resources, excessive DOM elements, and reliance on third-party libraries like Google Fonts and Font Awesome. These elements increase HTTP requests, page size, and rendering delays, negatively impacting load times and user experience. Additionally, its lack of granular control over performance optimization makes it challenging to fine-tune speed without custom solutions.
Yes, you can use Elementor without significantly compromising website speed by implementing optimization strategies. These include minifying and deferring JavaScript/CSS files, disabling unused widgets, hosting fonts locally, and using dedicated image optimization plugins. Pairing Elementor with performance-focused tools like caching plugins (e.g., WP Rocket) or CDNs can further enhance speed while retaining its design flexibility.
Yes, there are several lightweight alternatives to Elementor that prioritize speed and performance. Popular options include Oxygen Builder , Brizy , Beaver Builder , and GenerateBlocks . These tools offer similar drag-and-drop functionality but are designed to minimize bloat and improve loading times. If you’re looking for a non-page-builder solution, leveraging WordPress’s native block editor (Gutenberg) with performance plugins can also be an effective approach.
8. Conclusion
While Elementor is undeniably a powerful tool for designing beautiful websites, its impact on speed optimization cannot be ignored. From heavy JavaScript and CSS files to render-blocking resources and excessive DOM elements, Elementor introduces several challenges that can hinder your website’s performance. However, with the right strategies—such as minifying files, optimizing images, and reducing third-party dependencies—you can mitigate these issues and create a fast-loading website without sacrificing design quality.
By understanding the limitations of Elementor and implementing the solutions outlined in this guide, you can strike a balance between aesthetics and performance, ensuring that your website delivers an exceptional user experience while maintaining high search engine rankings.
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