Choosing the right WordPress theme can be challenging, especially if you are creating your first website and have little or no experience with coding. There are thousands of WordPress themes available, ranging from simple free themes to advanced premium frameworks designed for professional developers. One of the names that has remained prominent in the WordPress ecosystem is Elegant Themes, particularly because of its popular Divi theme and visual website builder.
In this elegant themes review, we will take a detailed look at what Elegant Themes offers, how Divi works, its major features, advantages and disadvantages, pricing, ease of use, customization options, and whether it is suitable for beginners who want to build a professional WordPress website.
Elegant Themes is best known for Divi, which combines a WordPress theme with a visual page-building system. Instead of requiring users to write code to create layouts, Divi allows them to design pages visually and see changes while they work. Elegant Themes describes Divi as a no-code visual drag-and-drop website builder that can be used without manually writing code.
For someone who wants to create a business website, blog, portfolio, online store, landing page, or service website without becoming a web developer, this approach can make the website-building process considerably more accessible.
Table of Contents
Elegant Themes Review: Best Theme For Beginner!
What Is Elegant Themes?
Elegant Themes is a company that develops WordPress themes and plugins. Its most recognizable product is Divi, which has developed from being primarily a WordPress theme into a broader visual website-building platform.
The Divi ecosystem is designed to give WordPress users more control over the appearance and structure of their websites. Instead of relying entirely on the standard WordPress editor and theme customization options, users can create pages using Divi's visual interface.
The current Divi ecosystem also includes tools and services beyond the basic theme and builder. Elegant Themes' membership offerings include products such as Divi, Extra, Bloom, Monarch, Divi Dash, and access to additional services depending on the membership selected.
This makes Elegant Themes particularly interesting for users who manage multiple websites because one membership can provide access to tools that can be used across multiple sites.
What Is Divi?
Divi is the flagship WordPress product from Elegant Themes. It functions as a WordPress theme and visual website builder, allowing users to create customized website layouts without having to manually code every element.
One of Divi's main attractions is its Visual Builder. Rather than creating a page entirely through a backend editor and then repeatedly switching to the front end to see the result, Divi allows users to work visually on the page.
According to Elegant Themes' documentation, Divi is designed to be used in visual mode, allowing users to build pages directly on the front end and see their changes in real time.
This is particularly useful for beginners because the relationship between the design settings and the final website can be easier to understand.
For example, if you want to change the color of a button, increase the size of a heading, modify spacing, or change the background of a section, you can generally make those adjustments through Divi's visual interface rather than editing CSS manually.
Why Is Divi Popular Among Beginners?
One of the biggest reasons Divi is attractive to beginners is that it reduces the amount of technical knowledge required to create a customized WordPress website.
A traditional approach to WordPress development can involve understanding themes, child themes, CSS, PHP, templates, widgets, page layouts, and other technical concepts. While these skills remain useful for advanced users, Divi can allow beginners to create sophisticated layouts before they have mastered web development.
The visual approach also makes experimentation easier. Users can change a design, view the result, undo the change if necessary, and continue experimenting.
Divi 5 has also introduced a redesigned Visual Builder interface intended to provide a cleaner and more modern workspace. Elegant Themes' current documentation describes the interface as being organized around areas such as the Page Bar, Builder Bar, Canvas, and Sidebar.
For beginners, having a visual workspace can make the learning process less intimidating.
Divi Visual Builder
The Visual Builder is arguably the most important feature to discuss in this elegant themes review.
Divi's Visual Builder allows users to construct pages using visual building blocks. Instead of starting with a blank page and writing HTML or CSS, users can insert sections, rows, columns, and modules and then customize their appearance.
Elegant Themes' documentation explains that a page can be constructed using sections, rows, columns, and modules. These components provide the basic structure required to create everything from a simple landing page to a more complex website layout.
This system can be particularly helpful for beginners because the interface provides a visual representation of the page structure.
For example, a typical homepage might contain:
- A hero section
- A company introduction
- A services section
- A features section
- Customer testimonials
- A call-to-action section
- A contact section
- A footer
Each part can be designed and arranged within the Visual Builder.
The user can then adjust typography, colors, spacing, backgrounds, borders, images, buttons, and other design elements according to the requirements of the website.
Divi Premade Layouts
Another important feature for beginners is the library of premade layouts.
Creating a website from a completely blank page can be overwhelming when you do not know how a professional website should be structured. Divi addresses this problem by providing premade layouts that users can import and customize.
Elegant Themes' documentation explains that users can select a premade layout, load it into a page, and then replace the demonstration content with their own text, images, branding, and other information.
This can save considerable time.
For example, if you want to create a website for a restaurant, you do not necessarily have to design the homepage from scratch. You can start with a suitable restaurant layout and replace the sample content with your restaurant's name, menu, photographs, opening hours, location, and contact information.
The same concept can be applied to business websites, portfolios, agencies, blogs, online stores, service providers, and other types of websites.
For beginners, this is one of Divi's most practical advantages because the user can learn by modifying an existing design rather than trying to design everything independently.
Divi Theme Builder
Divi is not limited to individual pages.
The Divi Theme Builder allows users to create templates for different parts of a WordPress website, including headers, footers, blog posts, archive pages, search results, 404 pages, and WooCommerce-related layouts.
Elegant Themes explains that the Theme Builder can be used to create templates and assign them to different types of content across a website.
This means that you can create a custom blog post template once and apply it to multiple posts rather than manually designing every post.
For example, you could create a blog template containing:
- Featured image
- Post title
- Author information
- Publication date
- Article content
- Related posts
- Newsletter section
- Advertisement area
Once the template is configured, it can be assigned to your posts according to your chosen conditions.
This feature is more advanced than what many beginners initially need, but it becomes extremely useful as a website grows.
Divi Modules
Divi provides a collection of modules that can be added to pages to create different types of content and functionality.
Modules can be used for elements such as text, images, buttons, videos, forms, pricing tables, testimonials, galleries, sliders, maps, and other website components.
For example, a business website could use text modules for company descriptions, image modules for photographs, button modules for calls to action, and contact form modules for customer inquiries.
The modules can then be customized visually.
This modular approach gives beginners a relatively straightforward way to construct complex-looking pages without having to understand the underlying code.
Responsive Design
A modern website needs to work properly on different screen sizes because visitors may access it using desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Divi provides responsive controls that allow users to customize designs for different device sizes.
For example, you may want a large heading on a desktop computer but a smaller heading on a smartphone. You may also want different spacing, font sizes, column arrangements, or other design settings depending on the screen size.
Divi 5's current Visual Builder includes tools for working with different responsive views, including desktop, tablet, and mobile layouts.
This is useful for beginners because responsive design can otherwise require knowledge of CSS media queries and other technical concepts.
Design Customization
One of Divi's strongest areas is customization.
Users can modify many aspects of a website's appearance, including:
- Fonts
- Font sizes
- Text colors
- Background colors
- Background images
- Borders
- Border radius
- Shadows
- Spacing
- Margins
- Padding
- Button styles
- Section layouts
- Column widths
- Image presentation
This means that two websites using Divi can look completely different.
A beginner can start with a premade layout and gradually customize it until the website matches their own branding.
This approach can be much easier than trying to design a complete website from an empty WordPress installation.
Divi Theme Builder for Blog Websites
Divi can also be useful for bloggers.
A blogger may want a custom design for blog posts rather than relying entirely on the default WordPress theme layout.
With the Theme Builder, users can create templates for blog posts and customize how content is displayed across the website. Elegant Themes documents support for custom post templates and layouts for different content types.
For example, a blogger could create a consistent article design containing a featured image, title, content area, author information, related content, newsletter form, and footer.
This can help maintain a consistent appearance throughout the website.
For websites that publish a large amount of content, centralized templates can also make design management easier because changes can be applied at the template level instead of being repeated manually.
Divi and WooCommerce
Divi can also be used with WooCommerce for online stores.
This can be useful for users who want more control over the appearance of product pages and other store-related components.
Instead of accepting a completely standard product-page design, users can use Divi's visual tools and Theme Builder functionality to create customized WooCommerce layouts.
This can be particularly useful for small businesses that want to create an online store without hiring a developer for every design change.
However, beginners should understand that creating an online store is more complicated than creating a simple blog. WooCommerce configuration, payment gateways, shipping, taxes, security, product management, and order processing still require proper setup.
Divi can help with the visual design, but it does not eliminate the need to understand how an online store operates.
Divi AI
Elegant Themes has also incorporated AI-related functionality into the Divi ecosystem.
Current Divi documentation describes a Divi AI Agent that can assist with tasks such as creating Theme Builder templates and configuring display conditions.
AI functionality can potentially make certain website-building tasks faster, particularly for users who are unfamiliar with the available options.
However, beginners should still review AI-generated changes rather than assuming that every automatically generated design or configuration will be appropriate for their website.
AI can assist with website creation, but decisions about content, branding, usability, accessibility, SEO, and business requirements should still be reviewed by the website owner.
Divi Dash
Elegant Themes also offers Divi Dash as part of its ecosystem.
Divi Dash is designed to help users manage multiple WordPress websites from one place. Elegant Themes currently describes it as a site-management tool that can be used to manage updates, themes, plugins, users, and maintenance across websites.
This feature is particularly relevant to freelancers, agencies, and website developers who maintain several WordPress websites.
For someone managing only one personal blog, however, this functionality may not be essential.
Advantages of Elegant Themes and Divi
| Advantages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly visual builder | Users can create pages visually instead of relying heavily on coding. |
| Premade layouts | Beginners can start with professionally designed layouts and customize them. |
| Extensive customization | Fonts, colors, spacing, backgrounds, buttons, and other elements can be modified. |
| Theme Builder | Users can create custom templates for headers, footers, posts, archives, and other areas. |
| Responsive controls | Designs can be adjusted for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. |
| Multiple website usage | Elegant Themes currently offers Divi plans that support unlimited website usage. |
| Large ecosystem | The membership can include multiple Elegant Themes products and services. |
| Useful for freelancers | Managing multiple client websites can make the membership more valuable. |
| AI functionality | Divi's newer ecosystem includes AI-powered tools and workflows. |
| Extensive documentation | Elegant Themes provides documentation and tutorials covering Divi features. |
Disadvantages of Elegant Themes and Divi
| Disadvantages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Learning curve | Although Divi is beginner-friendly, its large number of options can initially feel overwhelming. |
| Premium product | Divi is not simply a free WordPress theme, so users need to consider the cost of membership. |
| Too many options for simple websites | A very basic blog may not require the extensive functionality provided by Divi. |
| Design decisions are still required | A visual builder does not automatically produce an effective website without thoughtful design choices. |
| Advanced features take time to learn | Theme Builder, global settings, templates, and other advanced tools require additional learning. |
| Plugin compatibility should be checked | As with any WordPress builder, users should verify compatibility with important plugins before making major changes. |
Is Elegant Themes Easy to Use?
For beginners, Elegant Themes and Divi are relatively accessible because the website-building process is visual.
However, "easy to use" does not mean that every feature can be mastered immediately.
A beginner can potentially create a simple page after learning the fundamentals, but understanding advanced features such as global presets, Theme Builder templates, responsive settings, dynamic content, and more sophisticated layouts will require additional practice.
The good news is that Divi's workflow is designed around visual experimentation. Users can start with simple layouts and gradually learn more advanced features.
Elegant Themes also publishes documentation aimed specifically at new Divi users. Its current Divi 5 documentation includes beginner-focused guides explaining how to open the Visual Builder, create pages, use sections and modules, and publish content.
How Much Does Elegant Themes Cost?
Pricing is an important consideration in any elegant themes review.
Elegant Themes currently offers different Divi membership options, including annual and lifetime-oriented plans. The exact price and included services can change, so prospective customers should check the official Elegant Themes pricing page before purchasing.
One notable aspect of Divi's pricing model is its support for unlimited website usage on the Divi product offering. Elegant Themes currently describes Divi as providing unlimited website usage, which can be particularly valuable for people who operate multiple websites.
Elegant Themes also currently advertises a 30-day risk-free guarantee for Divi purchases.
Because pricing, promotions, and membership packages can change over time, it is better to verify the current offer directly with Elegant Themes before making a purchase.
Is Divi Worth It for One Website?
If you are creating only one small personal blog, the value of Divi will depend heavily on how much customization you want.
A basic WordPress website can be created using free themes and the standard WordPress editor, so purchasing a premium visual builder is not necessary for everyone.
However, if you want to create a highly customized website without learning extensive HTML, CSS, and PHP, Divi can provide significant convenience.
The value becomes potentially more apparent if you plan to create multiple websites.
For example, a freelancer who builds websites for clients may be able to use the same Divi membership across multiple projects, subject to the current license terms.
Is Divi Good for Bloggers?
Divi can be a useful option for bloggers who prioritize visual design and customization.
A blogger can use Divi to create custom homepages, landing pages, category layouts, blog templates, author sections, email signup areas, and other website components.
However, bloggers should remember that a beautiful design alone does not guarantee a successful website.
Important factors such as useful content, website speed, mobile usability, internal linking, accessibility, technical SEO, image optimization, and reliable hosting remain important regardless of the WordPress theme or page builder being used.
Divi should therefore be viewed as a website-building tool rather than a complete solution for every aspect of running a successful blog.
Is Divi Good for Business Websites?
Divi can be particularly useful for small businesses that want a professional-looking website without depending entirely on a developer.
A business owner can start with a premade layout, replace the demonstration content, add company branding, customize colors and typography, and publish the website.
For service businesses, Divi can be used to create pages such as:
- Home
- About Us
- Services
- Pricing
- Portfolio
- Testimonials
- Blog
- Contact
- Frequently requested service pages
The visual builder also makes it possible to update many design elements later without modifying theme files manually.
Is Elegant Themes Suitable for Complete Beginners?
For a complete beginner, Divi can be a good starting point if the goal is to learn WordPress website design visually.
The biggest advantage is that users do not have to begin by learning programming.
A beginner can start with a premade layout, replace the content, change the colors, adjust the typography, and gradually learn how the different Divi components work.
At the same time, beginners should not expect to understand every feature immediately.
Divi is a comprehensive system, and its extensive customization options can initially appear complicated. The best approach is to learn the basics first and avoid changing advanced settings until they become necessary.
Who Should Use Elegant Themes?
Elegant Themes and Divi may be suitable for several types of WordPress users.
Bloggers can use it to create customized content websites and visually distinctive article layouts.
Small business owners can use it to create professional company websites without depending completely on developers.
Freelancers can use it to build websites for clients and maintain multiple WordPress installations.
Agencies can benefit from a broader design system and tools for managing multiple websites.
Online store owners can use Divi alongside WooCommerce to customize parts of their store's presentation.
Beginners can use premade layouts and visual editing to learn website design without immediately becoming involved in coding.
Who May Not Need Divi?
Not every WordPress user needs a visual page builder.
If you only want a very simple blog with a basic design, a lightweight WordPress theme may be sufficient.
Similarly, users who are comfortable working directly with WordPress's native editor and block-based system may not need Divi's additional visual-building features.
Users who prioritize having the simplest possible WordPress setup may also prefer using a minimal theme with fewer customization options.
Therefore, choosing Divi should be based on your website requirements rather than simply choosing a theme because it has many features.
Elegant Themes Review: Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Category | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Visual editing makes website design accessible | The number of settings can initially be overwhelming |
| Design | Extensive customization and premade layouts | Creating a unique design still requires time and creativity |
| Beginners | No-code approach reduces the need for programming knowledge | Beginners still need to learn the Divi interface |
| Templates | Theme Builder provides extensive template control | Advanced template functionality requires additional learning |
| Multiple websites | Unlimited website usage can be valuable for multiple-site owners | Less compelling for users who operate only a very simple site |
| Business websites | Suitable for many business website designs | Some businesses may prefer a simpler WordPress setup |
| Blogging | Custom blog layouts and templates are possible | Basic bloggers may not need all the available functionality |
| Support and resources | Extensive official documentation and tutorials | Users still need to spend time learning the platform |
| Cost | Membership can become more valuable across multiple sites | Premium pricing may not be necessary for simple websites |
Final Verdict: Is Elegant Themes Good for Beginners?
This elegant themes review shows that Elegant Themes' Divi platform offers a combination of visual editing, premade layouts, extensive customization, responsive controls, and advanced website-building tools.
For beginners, one of the most significant advantages is the ability to build pages visually rather than depending heavily on coding. Divi's Visual Builder allows users to see their changes while designing, while premade layouts provide a practical starting point for people who do not know how to design a website from scratch.
The Theme Builder also gives users the ability to go beyond individual pages and create customized templates for different areas of a WordPress website.
However, Divi is not necessarily the right solution for every WordPress website. Its extensive functionality means that beginners may need some time to learn the interface, and users with very simple website requirements may prefer a more lightweight solution.
For someone who wants greater control over website design and would rather work visually than write code, Divi is a strong option to consider. Its value can also become more apparent for freelancers, agencies, and website owners who plan to build or manage multiple websites because Elegant Themes currently offers Divi with unlimited website usage.
Ultimately, the most important factor is not whether Divi has the largest number of features, but whether those features match your needs. If your priority is a flexible WordPress website builder that allows you to start with premade designs and gradually move toward more advanced customization, Elegant Themes and Divi are worth considering.
For beginners who want to build a professional WordPress website without becoming deeply involved in coding from the beginning, Divi can provide a practical and visually oriented path into website design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elegant Themes and Divi
Is Elegant Themes good for beginners?
Yes, Elegant Themes can be suitable for beginners, particularly because Divi provides a visual drag-and-drop website builder. Users can create and customize pages without having to write extensive HTML, CSS, or PHP code. Beginners can also start with premade layouts and gradually learn more advanced Divi features as they become more comfortable with WordPress.
Is Divi easy to use for beginners?
Divi is designed to make WordPress website creation more accessible to beginners through its visual editing interface. However, Divi includes a large number of customization options and advanced features, so new users may need some time to become familiar with the platform. Starting with a premade layout can make the learning process easier.
What is Elegant Themes used for?
Elegant Themes provides WordPress products and services designed to help users create, customize, and manage websites. Its best-known product is Divi, which combines a WordPress theme with a visual website builder. The Elegant Themes ecosystem also includes products and tools such as Extra, Bloom, Monarch, and Divi Dash.
What is the difference between Elegant Themes and Divi?
Elegant Themes is the company and product ecosystem, while Divi is its flagship WordPress website-building product. Divi includes a WordPress theme and visual builder that allow users to design and customize websites without relying heavily on coding.
Is Divi good for blogging?
Yes, Divi can be used effectively for blogs. It provides tools for creating customized blog layouts, post templates, category pages, headers, footers, and other website elements. However, bloggers who only need a simple article layout may find that a lightweight WordPress theme and the native WordPress editor are sufficient.
Can I use Divi for a business website?
Yes, Divi can be used to create business websites for companies, freelancers, agencies, service providers, and other organizations. Users can create pages such as Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Testimonials, Blog, and Contact pages and customize them to match their brand.
Can Divi be used for an online store?
Yes, Divi can be used with WooCommerce to create and customize WordPress online stores. It can provide greater control over the visual appearance of product pages and other WooCommerce-related layouts. However, users still need to configure important e-commerce components such as products, payments, shipping, taxes, security, and order management.
Does Divi require coding knowledge?
No, Divi does not require users to have extensive coding knowledge for ordinary website-building tasks. Its visual builder allows users to create and customize layouts through a graphical interface. Some knowledge of HTML, CSS, or other web technologies can still be useful when performing advanced customizations.
Does Divi have premade website layouts?
Yes, Divi provides premade layouts that can be imported and customized. These layouts can give beginners a starting point instead of requiring them to design every page from scratch. Users can replace the sample text, images, colors, fonts, and other elements with their own content and branding.
Is Divi mobile-friendly?
Divi provides responsive design controls that allow users to customize how their websites appear on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Users can adjust settings such as font sizes, spacing, and other design properties for different screen sizes.
Can I use Divi on multiple websites?
Yes, Elegant Themes currently offers Divi plans that support unlimited website usage. This can make Divi particularly useful for freelancers, agencies, and website owners who manage multiple WordPress websites. Users should always check the current Elegant Themes license terms before purchasing because product plans and conditions can change.
Is Elegant Themes worth the money?
The value of Elegant Themes depends on the user's requirements. Divi may provide greater value for users who want extensive design control, visual editing, premade layouts, and the ability to use the product across multiple websites. Users who only need a simple blog may prefer a free or lightweight WordPress theme instead.
Does Elegant Themes offer a money-back guarantee?
Elegant Themes currently advertises a 30-day risk-free guarantee for Divi purchases. Because pricing, promotions, and purchasing policies can change, prospective customers should check the current terms on the official Elegant Themes website before purchasing.
Can I customize the Divi theme?
Yes, Divi provides extensive customization options. Users can modify typography, colors, backgrounds, spacing, borders, buttons, layouts, and many other visual elements. More advanced users can also use the Divi Theme Builder to create customized templates for different parts of a WordPress website.
What is the Divi Theme Builder?
The Divi Theme Builder is a feature that allows users to create customized templates for different areas of a WordPress website. Depending on the website's requirements, users can create templates for headers, footers, blog posts, archive pages, search results, 404 pages, and other content areas.
Is Divi suitable for professional websites?
Yes, Divi can be used to create professional websites for businesses, agencies, freelancers, bloggers, and other organizations. Its visual builder and extensive customization options allow users to create designs that go beyond the default appearance of many WordPress themes.
What are the main disadvantages of Divi?
Some potential disadvantages include its learning curve, the large number of available customization options, and the fact that beginners may need time to understand its more advanced features. Users who only need a very simple website may also find that Divi provides more functionality than they actually require.
Should I choose Divi for my first WordPress website?
Divi can be considered for a first WordPress website if you want extensive design control and prefer visual website building rather than coding. Beginners can start with a premade layout and gradually learn more advanced features. However, if your website only requires a basic blog or simple informational pages, a simpler WordPress setup may also be sufficient.
References
- Elegant Themes Review: Features and Pricing - wp-techsupport.com
- Elegant Themes Review - apinapress.com
