The Ultimate Guide to Switching from Elementor to Framer

Thinking about switching from Elementor to Framer? Here’s why and how to do it:

Framer is gaining traction as a modern, all-in-one platform for building faster, more responsive websites with advanced animations and built-in hosting. Unlike Elementor, which relies on WordPress and plugins, Framer simplifies workflows and improves performance with clean code and AI-powered tools.

Why Choose Framer Over Elementor?

• Performance: Framer sites are faster and optimized for Core Web Vitals, while Elementor often requires extra plugins to maintain speed.
• Design Freedom: Framer supports advanced animations and interactivity, unlike Elementor’s more basic options.
• Ease of Management: Framer eliminates the need for external hosting and plugins, simplifying site maintenance.
• Collaboration: Real-time editing streamlines teamwork on Framer.

Key Differences: Elementor vs. Framer

What’s Inside:

• Step-by-Step Migration Plan: Back up your Elementor site, rebuild layouts, and set up Framer.
• Optimization Tips: Improve speed, animations, and search rankings.
• Templates: Use Temlis templates for faster deployment.

Switching to Framer can help you create sleek, high-performance websites while simplifying your workflow. Ready to make the move? Let’s dive in.

Framer Vs Elementor (2025) Key Differences and Which One is Right for You?

Key Differences: Elementor vs Framer

Grasping the differences between Elementor and Framer can help you make informed decisions about your design process and website performance. These platforms take very different approaches to web design, shaping how you work and the results you achieve.

Platform Overview

Elementor operates as a WordPress plugin, so it works entirely within the WordPress ecosystem. To use it, you’ll need a WordPress installation, hosting, and often extra plugins for advanced features. This setup gives you access to a massive library of themes, plugins, and third-party integrations. However, it can also lead to compatibility headaches and make managing your site more complex.

Framer, on the other hand, is a standalone platform that combines design and development. It features a code-based visual editor and comes with built-in hosting. This eliminates the need for separate WordPress setups or juggling multiple plugins. With everything integrated, Framer simplifies the process by reducing the number of components you need to manage, but it keeps you within its proprietary ecosystem.

These foundational differences pave the way for distinct features and strengths, as outlined below.

Key Features and Capabilities

Design Flexibility and Customization

Framer offers a high degree of flexibility, thanks to its advanced animations, interactive features, and support for code-based customization. Its visual editor allows for unique and dynamic designs. In contrast, Elementor relies on a drag-and-drop interface, which is great for building straightforward websites but can feel limiting if you’re aiming for intricate designs or highly customized functionality.

Animation and Interactivity

Elementor provides basic animation options, but Framer takes things up a notch with its advanced animation engine and AI-powered tools. These features make it possible to create intricate interactions, like micro-interactions, hover effects, and scroll-triggered animations - without needing to write custom code.

"Framer is changing the game with its innovative AI-powered design tools and stunning animations that make websites feel alive." - pentaclay.com

Learning Curve and User Experience

The two platforms also differ in accessibility. Elementor’s interface is beginner-friendly, and new users can often get the hang of it in about 30 minutes. Framer, however, comes with a steeper learning curve. Its advanced features and precision tools are better suited for designers who are comfortable working with more complex software.

Performance and Speed

Performance is another area where these platforms diverge. Elementor websites can become sluggish, especially if you’re using multiple plugins. To maintain speed, you’ll likely need to invest in additional tools like caching and image optimization. Framer, by contrast, is built for speed. Its lightweight, clean code ensures fast load times right out of the box, with a strong focus on optimizing Core Web Vitals such as LCP, FID, and CLS.

Comparison Table: Pros and Cons

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your priorities and technical expertise. Elementor is a solid option for WordPress users looking for a straightforward, budget-friendly solution that doesn’t require coding. Framer, on the other hand, is perfect for designers and developers who want maximum creative control, advanced animations, and a more streamlined workflow. If those qualities resonate with you, Framer might be the better fit for your next project.

Preparing for Migration

Switching from Elementor to Framer is no small task, but with careful planning, you can save time, avoid data loss, and ensure your new site runs smoothly. Here's how to get everything ready for a successful migration.

Pre-Migration Checklist

Before jumping into Framer, take a close look at your current Elementor site. Start by auditing your website - export all pages, posts, images, and media, and clear out any unnecessary content. Create a detailed inventory of everything that needs to be migrated, including text, images, videos, downloadable files, and interactive elements. Pay extra attention to key features like forms, contact information, and lead capture tools to ensure your site’s functionality remains intact.

Don't forget to set up URL redirects to maintain your search rankings. As Framer's documentation explains:

"When a redirect is created, visitors to the old URL are automatically redirected to the new URL. This is especially valuable for maintaining search engine ranking while updating page URLs".

Additionally, export important data such as form submissions, user information, comments, and contact entries. To make the design process easier in Framer, document your site's design details - this includes font sizes, color codes, spacing, and layout guidelines.

Once your content and assets are organized, you’re ready to start setting up your new workspace in Framer.

Setting Up in Framer

Start by creating your Framer account and structuring your projects with clear folder organization. Choose a plan that matches your needs, keeping in mind factors like the number of sites you’ll manage, custom domain requirements, and team access.

If your audience is primarily in the U.S., localize your project by setting the currency to dollars, using the MM/DD/YYYY date format, and specifying Fahrenheit for temperature. These small adjustments enhance the experience for American visitors. Framer also offers built-in hosting and domain management - set up your custom domain early so you can test your site at its final URL.

Backing Up Elementor Projects

Before making any changes, secure your current site with thorough backups. This step is crucial to protect against data loss. As WordPress expert wpmad advises:

"You should take a backup before any update, especially for major updates to WordPress, theme and plugins".

Your backup should include both the database and all media files. Tools like UpdraftPlus can automate this process, creating easy-to-restore backups of your database and site files. If you prefer a manual approach, create a zip archive of all files and export the database using phpMyAdmin. This ensures you have a secure copy of your MySQL database and site settings.

To further protect your data, save backups in multiple locations - ideally three separate ones - to minimize the risk of loss due to corruption or damage. Always test your backups to confirm they’re accessible and functional before proceeding.

The importance of backups can’t be overstated. For instance, Formula Bot partnered with Goodspeed to migrate to Framer, and their careful planning not only preserved their SEO performance but boosted their Google ranking from 6th to 2nd place.

With your content reviewed, assets organized, Framer account set up, and backups secured, you’re ready to move forward with the migration. This preparation phase is essential for a smooth transition and ensures you won’t lose valuable data or functionality along the way.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Recreating Projects in Framer

Now that you’ve set the stage for migration, it’s time to rebuild your site in Framer. Here’s how to ensure your new site aligns with your original design.

Rebuilding Layouts and Sections

Start by translating Elementor’s structure into Framer’s design system. Use your original dimensions as a reference point, paying close attention to elements like headers, footers, and sidebars to maintain your site’s visual hierarchy.

Framer takes a different approach compared to Elementor’s sections, columns, and widgets. Begin by rebuilding the main container structure, using whitespace effectively to highlight key areas. Adjust font sizes, spacing, and component dimensions to create a clear and engaging visual flow.

Plan your sections with responsiveness in mind right from the start. This not only simplifies the design process but also helps reduce unnecessary code, improving page speed. For complex layouts, tackle them one section at a time rather than trying to replicate entire pages in one go. This step-by-step method makes it easier to spot and fix inconsistencies early, ensuring each component works as intended.

Once the layout is ready, you can bring it to life with dynamic interactions.

Adding Animations and Interactivity

With your layout in place, Framer’s tools allow you to add engaging animations and interactions. Framer Motion, a React animation library, makes it easy to create smooth animations with minimal CSS requirements. These motion components are optimized for high performance, running seamlessly at 60 frames per second.

Identify the interactive elements from your original site - hover effects, scroll-triggered animations, or button interactions - and recreate them in Framer. The platform supports responsive hover, tap, and drag effects, giving you plenty of creative flexibility.

You can also take advantage of scroll-linked animations. Using props like whileInView and viewport, you can trigger animations when elements come into view, enhancing the browsing experience. For smoother transitions, consider using opacity changes to reveal or hide elements instead of abrupt visibility toggles. For more intricate animations, try a “rollover technique,” where you create intermediate states between the start and end points for better timing and flow.

Framer also includes built-in presets for text effects and looping animations, perfect for highlighting headlines, call-to-actions, or background elements.

Testing and Performance Optimization

With your site rebuilt, it’s essential to ensure it performs well - not just for user experience but also for search engine visibility. As LoadFocus explains:

"Performance Testing for Framer Design-Centric Websites ensures your visually stunning and interactive web pages maintain optimal speed and responsiveness under varying load conditions".

Focus on key performance metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) under 2.5 seconds, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) below 0.2 seconds, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) under 0.1. Improving these Core Web Vitals can enhance both search rankings and user satisfaction.

Start with image optimization. Use Framer’s "Auto" resolution setting, convert images to modern formats like WebP or AVIF, and compress them with tools such as TinyPNG. Make sure images are appropriately scaled for different devices.

Font optimization is equally important. Stick to a range of font weights (e.g., Light to Extra Bold) and consider Google Fonts, which often load faster than custom fonts. For video content, embed from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo rather than hosting videos directly, and avoid autoplay features that can drain resources.

To maintain performance, minimize heavy visual effects. Use subtle Appear effects for critical elements and avoid scroll animations for above-the-fold content. Additionally, reduce your site’s DOM size by breaking up complex pages into smaller sections.

Regular testing is key. Use tools like LoadFocus, PageSpeed Insights, and WebPageTest to evaluate performance. Simulate real user interactions - scrolling, form submissions, and hover states - to get an accurate picture of how your site performs in practice [25, 28]. For US-based audiences, double-check that localized elements like currency symbols ($), date formats (MM/DD/YYYY), and temperature units (°F) display correctly across devices.

Lastly, mark your project as "Optimized" in Site Settings and consider using the Framer web app for better resource management. Keep an eye on metrics like First Contentful Paint (FCP), Time to Interactive (TTI), error rates, and resource usage to ensure your site continues to deliver a great experience over time.

This approach helps you maintain your original design’s integrity while improving functionality and performance.

Improving Workflows and Using Temlis Templates

Once your site is successfully migrated and optimized, the next logical step is to refine your workflow in Framer. This is where smart, time-saving templates can make a real difference.

Mastering Framer's Tools

Framer's drag-and-drop interface and built-in editor simplify managing text, images, and media. By mastering reusable elements, you can create design components that maintain consistency across your site, saving time and effort.

Collaboration is seamless with Framer’s real-time editing tools, which cut down on the hassle of sharing files back and forth. Plus, the direct publishing feature allows you to make updates instantly - perfect for quick changes or testing new design ideas.

Framer also includes vector editing tools, so you don’t need to switch to another program for basic graphic tweaks. Responsive design tools ensure your layouts adjust automatically for various screen sizes, while the built-in CMS makes content updates a breeze.

With these tools in hand, you’ll be well-positioned to speed up your workflow using Temlis templates.

Using Temlis Templates for Faster Deployment

Temlis templates are a game-changer for accelerating Framer projects. In fact, 92% of professionals report that templates have significantly increased their productivity.

Take Zenith Yoga, for example. They used Temlis's "Calmy" template to launch their website, cutting development time by 40% and increasing online bookings by 25% in just one month.

Temlis offers templates for a range of industries and budgets. Free options like Imagen Lite are ideal for portfolios, while mid-range choices like Calmy (for wellness businesses) or Elevates (for real estate) provide excellent value for small businesses. The key is to pick a template that aligns with your industry and audience to maximize engagement.

Customization is where the magic happens. Adjust layouts, colors, fonts, and media to reflect your brand’s identity. This approach is not only faster and more affordable than hiring a designer or starting from scratch, but it also ensures your site feels uniquely yours.

Here are a few tips for customizing templates effectively:

• Set consistent character and paragraph styles to maintain uniform formatting.
• Plan for content variations, such as longer titles or additional text blocks.
• Define brand guidelines for colors, fonts, and layouts to keep everything cohesive.
• Use clear naming conventions for variables and modular layouts to streamline your workflow.

As Zack Swafford puts it:

"Templates are like pre-built blueprints for your workday, cutting down the time spent on repetitive tasks and freeing you up for more important things".

Once your templates are in place, the next step is to ensure your site stays fresh and relevant.

Maintaining and Updating Your Site

Regular updates are essential - 38.5% of designers say outdated designs can drive visitors away.

To keep your site in top shape, establish a review schedule for your templates and components. Set expiration dates for older elements and periodically evaluate whether your current approach is still effective. Streamlined template management can significantly reduce overtime costs.

It’s also important to ensure your templates perform well across all viewing contexts. As Dawson Whitfield, CEO and co-founder of Looka, points out:

"Users interact with content across countless devices and settings, and a template that performs beautifully in light mode but fails in dark mode risks alienating a portion of your audience".

Framer’s CMS can help by enabling non-technical team members to handle content updates easily. Make sure your team is trained on how to use templates effectively and understands when to rely on existing components versus creating new ones. This clarity will keep your workflow efficient and your site looking polished.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Framer for Modern Website Design

Recap of the Transition Process

Making the switch from Elementor to Framer brings a fresh, modern approach to web design. With Framer's AI-powered tools and advanced animation capabilities, you gain the freedom to create dynamic, high-performing websites that truly stand out.

The migration process requires thoughtful planning - starting with backing up your current projects and carefully rebuilding layouts using Framer's precise tools. This platform is designed to meet the demands of today's users, delivering the immersive experiences they expect.

Here’s a key reminder: 94% of first impressions are based on design, and 94% of consumers research online before making a purchase. These stats highlight just how crucial it is to create a visually compelling, user-friendly website. Framer, especially when paired with Temlis, equips you to meet these challenges head-on.

"Framer is changing the game with its innovative AI-powered design tools and stunning animations that make websites feel alive." – pentaclay.com

Getting the Most from Framer with Temlis

Migration is just the beginning. Framer's powerful tools combined with Temlis templates open the door to continuous creativity and efficiency. Once your site is successfully migrated and optimized, Temlis can significantly speed up your design process.

Temlis templates are a game-changer - offering ready-to-use designs that eliminate the need to start from scratch. Whether you're working with free options or templates tailored to specific industries, the customization possibilities are extensive. Temlis caters to a wide range of needs, from fintech solutions like Nicepay and Rampay to fitness-focused designs like MoveFitness and Harmoni. Each template provides a strong foundation that you can adapt to reflect your brand’s unique identity, all while maintaining the polished look your audience expects.

"The benefits of Framer for startups are clear – it enables speedy deployment, cost savings, and full creative control, making it an ideal choice for nimble teams." – Harish Malhi

FAQs

How can I migrate my website from Elementor to Framer?

Migrating your website from Elementor to Framer requires a few essential steps to get everything running smoothly. First, you'll need to export your existing website content - this includes pages, images, and other assets - from Elementor or WordPress. You can use built-in export tools or manually save your files, depending on the tools available.

Once you've got your content, it's time to rebuild in Framer. You can either import designs from tools like Figma or recreate your site structure directly within Framer. Take advantage of Framer's features to replicate your original layout and functionality as closely as possible.

After rebuilding, focus on optimizing your new site for performance and SEO. Finally, test every feature thoroughly to make sure everything works as intended. These steps will help ensure a smooth transition to Framer while keeping your website polished and user-friendly.

How does Framer's built-in hosting and design tools boost website performance compared to using Elementor with WordPress?

Framer's hosting is designed to deliver top-notch speed and reliability, removing the need for external hosting services that might bog down your site. By optimizing load times, it ensures a smoother and more enjoyable experience for your visitors.

What sets Framer apart is its all-in-one platform that merges design and development tools into a single, streamlined workflow. This means you can build and launch responsive, interactive websites quickly - no need for third-party plugins or complicated setups. The result? Better performance and easier project management.

What should I expect when switching from Elementor to Framer, and how can I make the transition easier?

Switching from Elementor to Framer might seem a bit daunting initially, especially since Framer comes with more advanced design tools and a unique workflow. But with a little practice, it can become an incredibly rewarding tool for crafting polished, high-quality web designs.

To make the transition smoother, tap into resources like online tutorials, community forums, and step-by-step guides. Begin with smaller projects to get comfortable with Framer’s features and tools, and don’t shy away from experimenting. With consistent effort, you’ll get the hang of it and discover how Framer can elevate your design process.

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