tldr;

Looking to create an Elementor widget? You’re in luck! I’ve got just what you need. Head over to my GitHub repository and discover a handy template that will streamline the process for you.

With this template, you can unleash your creativity and customize your widget to impress your visitors.

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Introducing Elementor Widgets

Hey there, fellow WordPress enthusiasts! 👋 Ever wondered how to create an Elementor widget? Well, you’re in luck because today we’re going to walk through the process step-by-step.

When I first dove into the world of WordPress, I was amazed by its flexibility and the power it handed to me. I mean, who wouldn’t be? With its vast ecosystem of plugins, I felt like a kid in a candy store. But amongst all the plugins, Elementor stood out like a crown jewel. It was love at first sight! 😍

Elementor is a fantastic tool that lets you design your website in a live, front-end environment. It’s like seeing your creation come to life in real time! But the real game-changer? Widgets. Elementor widgets act like building blocks, allowing you to add different features and functionalities to your site. And the beauty of it all is that you can create your own widgets to suit your unique needs.

Over the years, I’ve created countless Elementor widgets, each one a little piece of the puzzle that makes up the perfect website. And guess what? I’m going to spill the beans and teach you how to create an Elementor widget from scratch. So, buckle up, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if you’re like me! ☕), and let’s get started on this exciting journey! 🚀

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything from the history of Elementor widgets to a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to create your own. We’ll also throw in some nifty tips and tricks for creating advanced widgets, along with real-world examples to inspire you. And, to top it all off, I’ve compiled a list of additional resources to fuel your learning even further.

Ready to become an Elementor wizard? Let’s dive in! 🧙‍♂️

Time for a trip down memory lane, my friends! 🚗💨 Before we jump into how to create an Elementor widget, it’s essential to understand where it all started. Trust me, it’s an intriguing journey, and knowing the roots will help you appreciate the power you’re about to wield even more.

Elementor burst onto the WordPress scene back in 2016, promising to revolutionize how we design websites. And boy, did it deliver! What made Elementor a game-changer was its live, front-end editing feature. Suddenly, we weren’t just coding in a back-end editor and hoping for the best. No, we were watching our creations come to life in real-time. It was like wielding a magic wand! 🧙‍♀️✨

But the real magic lay in something called widgets. Widgets in Elementor acted like building blocks, allowing us to add different functionalities to our site with ease. Want a text block here? There’s a widget for that. Need a contact form there? There’s a widget for that too! The power to shape our website was literally at our fingertips.

Over the years, the process of building widgets has evolved. In the early days, creating a custom Elementor widget required a pretty solid understanding of PHP and JavaScript. We had to code our widgets from scratch, which, while fun (who doesn’t love a good coding session, right? 😄), could be quite time-consuming and complex.

But as Elementor grew, so did its ecosystem. Developers around the world created tools and libraries to make the process of creating custom widgets easier and more accessible. Today, there are numerous resources available that simplify the widget creation process, without needing a deep knowledge of coding. Don’t get me wrong, though – knowing your way around PHP and JavaScript still comes in handy!

The journey to create an Elementor widget has been an exciting one, marked by innovation and the constant push to make web design more accessible. As we dive into the nitty-gritty of creating your own Elementor widget, remember, you’re part of this journey, this history. And that, my friend, is pretty awesome! 🚀🌟

Alright, enough reminiscing. Let’s get back to the present and start laying the groundwork for your first Elementor widget. Onwards! 💪

Before we dive into the deep end of widget creation, let’s ensure we’re all on the same page. Understanding the basics of WordPress and Elementor is like laying the foundation for a house. You can’t build a sturdy house without a solid foundation, right? So let’s lay down those bricks! 🏠🧱

What is WordPress?

For those who are new to the scene, WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS). It’s like the director of a movie – it helps you manage all your content and how it interacts with your website visitors. 🎬

What makes WordPress so popular (it powers more than 40% of all websites on the internet! 😲) is its flexibility and ease of use. With thousands of themes and plugins, you can customize your website to your heart’s content. Whether you’re building a blog, an online store, or a portfolio site, WordPress has got you covered!

Enter Elementor

Now, as awesome as WordPress is, designing a website could still be a bit of a challenge, especially if you didn’t know how to code. And that’s where Elementor entered the picture.

Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress. Imagine having a box of Lego blocks, where each block is a feature or a design element of your website. Elementor lets you pick up these blocks and place them anywhere on your website. And the best part? You see the changes as you make them. No more guessing games! 🎉

What are Elementor Widgets?

Now, these Lego blocks I mentioned? Those are Elementor widgets. They’re the building blocks that let you add different features to your site. From simple text and image widgets to more complex ones like forms and sliders, Elementor comes packed with a wide variety of widgets. They’re like little packages of functionality that you can place anywhere on your site. Pretty cool, huh? 😎

The World of Elementor Widgets

Elementor offers a plethora of widgets right out of the box. Want to add a catchy headline? Use the Heading widget. Need to display your latest blog posts? There’s a Posts widget for that. Want to add a contact form? Just drag and drop the Form widget.

But what if you need something unique, something that the existing widgets don’t offer? Well, that’s where the ability to create an Elementor widget comes in. By creating your own widgets, you can customize your site even further. You’re only limited by your imagination! 🚀

Alright, now that we’ve got the basics down, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. Are you ready to create your first Elementor widget? Let’s go! 🛠️

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It’s showtime, folks! 🔥 Now that we’re all on the same page with WordPress and Elementor basics, it’s time to dive into the main event: creating your very own Elementor widget. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way. Ready? Let’s get cracking! 👩‍💻👨‍💻

Prerequisites

Before we start, there are a few things you’ll need to have:

1. Basic knowledge of PHP and JavaScript: While there are tools that make it easier to create Elementor widgets, having a basic understanding of these two languages will make the process much smoother.
2. A local WordPress development environment: You’ll need a place to test your widgets as you create them. There are many solutions out there like Local by Flywheel, MAMP, or even Docker, if you’re feeling adventurous! 🐋
3. Elementor plugin installed: Pretty self-explanatory, right? 😉
4. A text editor: You’ll need something to write your code in. I’d recommend something like VSCode, Atom, or Sublime Text.

Setting Up the Development Environment

Creating a widget is like constructing a building: you need a blueprint. In our case, the blueprint is a PHP class that defines what our widget does and how it behaves. But before we get into that, let’s set up our development environment.

We’ll be creating a custom plugin to hold our widget. Why a plugin, you ask? Well, because Elementor reads from the plugins directory when looking for widgets to add to its library. Makes sense, right?

1. In your WordPress plugins directory (wp-content/plugins), create a new folder for your plugin. You can name it anything you like. I’ll call mine elementor-awesomesauce.
2. In your new plugin directory, create a new PHP file with the same name as your folder (e.g., elementor-awesomesauce.php). This will be the main plugin file where we’ll write the initial code.

Understanding the Elementor Widget Structure

Elementor widgets are PHP classes that extend the Elementor\Widget_Base class. This base class is what gives our widget access to all the cool Elementor features.

Our widget class needs to implement three methods:

1. get_name(): This method returns the widget’s name in the Elementor editor.
2. get_title(): This method returns the widget title that will be displayed in the Elementor editor.
3. get_icon(): This method is an optional, but recommended. It lets you set the widget icon. You can use any Elementor icons or FontAwesome icons, to simply return the CSS class name.
4. get_categories(): This method lets you set the category of the widget.
5. get_script_depends(): If your widget needs a specific script to function, you return the name of the script here.
6. _register_controls(): This method is where you add widget controls. These controls are what the user will interact with in the Elementor editor.
7. render(): This is where the magic happens! This method is responsible for rendering the final output of your widget.

Create an Elementor Widget — The Code

Okay, time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, in our case! 😄). Open up your main plugin file, and let’s start coding.

This PHP code is the foundation of the Elementor Awesomesauce WordPress plugin. It’s like the magic glue that holds everything together. By installing and activating this plugin, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities for creating custom Elementor widgets that will make your website truly stand out.

<?php
/**
 * Elementor Awesomesauce WordPress Plugin
 *
 * @package ElementorAwesomesauce
 *
 * Plugin Name: Elementor Awesomesauce
 * Description: Simple Elementor plugin example
 * Plugin URI:  https://www.benmarshall.me/build-custom-elementor-widgets/
 * Version:     1.0.0
 * Author:      Ben Marshall
 * Author URI:  https://www.benmarshall.me
 * Text Domain: elementor-awesomesauce
 */

define( 'ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE', __FILE__ );

/**
 * Include the Elementor_Awesomesauce class.
 */
require plugin_dir_path( ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE ) . 'class-elementor-awesomesauce.php';

Now, let’s break down what this code does. First, it sets up the basic information for the plugin, such as its name, description, version, author, and more. This information is important for identifying and managing the plugin within the WordPress ecosystem.

Next, we define a constant called ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE which points to the main file of our plugin. This constant will be used to reference the plugin’s file path throughout the codebase.

The code then includes the class-elementor-awesomesauce.php file, which contains the essential class for our Elementor Awesomesauce plugin. This class will handle all the necessary functionality for creating and managing custom Elementor widgets.

This code below represents the heart and soul of the Elementor_Awesomesauce class. It serves as the backbone of the Elementor Awesomesauce WordPress plugin, ensuring that all the necessary requirements are met for a smooth and successful plugin experience.

<?php
/**
 * Elementor_Awesomesauce class.
 *
 * @category   Class
 * @package    ElementorAwesomesauce
 * @subpackage WordPress
 * @author     Ben Marshall <me@benmarshall.me>
 * @copyright  2020 Ben Marshall
 * @license    https://opensource.org/licenses/GPL-3.0 GPL-3.0-only
 * @link       link(https://www.benmarshall.me/build-custom-elementor-widgets/,
 *             Build Custom Elementor Widgets)
 * @since      1.0.0
 * php version 7.3.9
 */

if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) {
	// Exit if accessed directly.
	exit;
}

/**
 * Main Elementor Awesomesauce Class
 *
 * The init class that runs the Elementor Awesomesauce plugin.
 * Intended To make sure that the plugin's minimum requirements are met.
 *
 * You should only modify the constants to match your plugin's needs.
 *
 * Any custom code should go inside Plugin Class in the plugin.php file.
 */
final class Elementor_Awesomesauce {

	/**
	 * Plugin Version
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @var string The plugin version.
	 */
	const VERSION = '1.0.0';

	/**
	 * Minimum Elementor Version
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @var string Minimum Elementor version required to run the plugin.
	 */
	const MINIMUM_ELEMENTOR_VERSION = '2.0.0';

	/**
	 * Minimum PHP Version
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @var string Minimum PHP version required to run the plugin.
	 */
	const MINIMUM_PHP_VERSION = '7.0';

	/**
	 * Constructor
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function __construct() {
		// Load the translation.
		add_action( 'init', array( $this, 'i18n' ) );

		// Initialize the plugin.
		add_action( 'plugins_loaded', array( $this, 'init' ) );
	}

	/**
	 * Load Textdomain
	 *
	 * Load plugin localization files.
	 * Fired by `init` action hook.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function i18n() {
		load_plugin_textdomain( 'elementor-awesomesauce' );
	}

	/**
	 * Initialize the plugin
	 *
	 * Validates that Elementor is already loaded.
	 * Checks for basic plugin requirements, if one check fail don't continue,
	 * if all check have passed include the plugin class.
	 *
	 * Fired by `plugins_loaded` action hook.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function init() {

		// Check if Elementor installed and activated.
		if ( ! did_action( 'elementor/loaded' ) ) {
			add_action( 'admin_notices', array( $this, 'admin_notice_missing_main_plugin' ) );
			return;
		}

		// Check for required Elementor version.
		if ( ! version_compare( ELEMENTOR_VERSION, self::MINIMUM_ELEMENTOR_VERSION, '>=' ) ) {
			add_action( 'admin_notices', array( $this, 'admin_notice_minimum_elementor_version' ) );
			return;
		}

		// Check for required PHP version.
		if ( version_compare( PHP_VERSION, self::MINIMUM_PHP_VERSION, '<' ) ) {
			add_action( 'admin_notices', array( $this, 'admin_notice_minimum_php_version' ) );
			return;
		}

		// Once we get here, We have passed all validation checks so we can safely include our widgets.
		require_once 'class-widgets.php';
	}

	/**
	 * Admin notice
	 *
	 * Warning when the site doesn't have Elementor installed or activated.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function admin_notice_missing_main_plugin() {
		deactivate_plugins( plugin_basename( ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE ) );

		return sprintf(
			wp_kses(
				'<div class="notice notice-warning is-dismissible"><p><strong>"%1$s"</strong> requires <strong>"%2$s"</strong> to be installed and activated.</p></div>',
				array(
					'div' => array(
						'class'  => array(),
						'p'      => array(),
						'strong' => array(),
					),
				)
			),
			'Elementor Awesomesauce',
			'Elementor'
		);
	}

	/**
	 * Admin notice
	 *
	 * Warning when the site doesn't have a minimum required Elementor version.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function admin_notice_minimum_elementor_version() {
		deactivate_plugins( plugin_basename( ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE ) );

		return sprintf(
			wp_kses(
				'<div class="notice notice-warning is-dismissible"><p><strong>"%1$s"</strong> requires <strong>"%2$s"</strong> version %3$s or greater.</p></div>',
				array(
					'div' => array(
						'class'  => array(),
						'p'      => array(),
						'strong' => array(),
					),
				)
			),
			'Elementor Awesomesauce',
			'Elementor',
			self::MINIMUM_ELEMENTOR_VERSION
		);
	}

	/**
	 * Admin notice
	 *
	 * Warning when the site doesn't have a minimum required PHP version.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function admin_notice_minimum_php_version() {
		deactivate_plugins( plugin_basename( ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE ) );

		return sprintf(
			wp_kses(
				'<div class="notice notice-warning is-dismissible"><p><strong>"%1$s"</strong> requires <strong>"%2$s"</strong> version %3$s or greater.</p></div>',
				array(
					'div' => array(
						'class'  => array(),
						'p'      => array(),
						'strong' => array(),
					),
				)
			),
			'Elementor Awesomesauce',
			'PHP',
			self::MINIMUM_PHP_VERSION
		);
	}
}

// Instantiate Elementor_Awesomesauce.
new Elementor_Awesomesauce();

let’s talk about what this code does. It initializes the plugin by loading the necessary translations and then proceeds to validate key factors. It checks if Elementor is installed and activated, ensuring that our custom widget can seamlessly integrate with the Elementor ecosystem. It also verifies the minimum required versions of Elementor and PHP to guarantee a compatible environment for the plugin to function properly.

Once all the checks pass, the plugin class is included, which is where the real magic happens. This class contains the essential functionality for creating and managing custom Elementor widgets. It’s the place where you can unleash your creativity and craft amazing widgets that will make your website shine.

If any of the checks fail, the code displays friendly admin notices to guide you. For example, if Elementor is missing or if the required versions are not met, the plugin will be deactivated temporarily until the requirements are fulfilled.

Now the code below is to handle the registration and inclusion of custom Elementor widgets. It ensures that the necessary files are loaded and that the widgets are properly registered within the Elementor plugin. Now, let’s dive deeper and see what this code has to offer.

<?php
/**
 * Widgets class.
 *
 * @category   Class
 * @package    ElementorAwesomesauce
 * @subpackage WordPress
 * @author     Ben Marshall <me@benmarshall.me>
 * @copyright  2020 Ben Marshall
 * @license    https://opensource.org/licenses/GPL-3.0 GPL-3.0-only
 * @link       link(https://www.benmarshall.me/build-custom-elementor-widgets/,
 *             Build Custom Elementor Widgets)
 * @since      1.0.0
 * php version 7.3.9
 */

namespace ElementorAwesomesauce;

// Security Note: Blocks direct access to the plugin PHP files.
defined( 'ABSPATH' ) || die();

/**
 * Class Plugin
 *
 * Main Plugin class
 *
 * @since 1.0.0
 */
class Widgets {

	/**
	 * Instance
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access private
	 * @static
	 *
	 * @var Plugin The single instance of the class.
	 */
	private static $instance = null;

	/**
	 * Instance
	 *
	 * Ensures only one instance of the class is loaded or can be loaded.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 *
	 * @return Plugin An instance of the class.
	 */
	public static function instance() {
		if ( is_null( self::$instance ) ) {
			self::$instance = new self();
		}

		return self::$instance;
	}

	/**
	 * Include Widgets files
	 *
	 * Load widgets files
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access private
	 */
	private function include_widgets_files() {
		require_once 'widgets/class-awesomesauce.php';
	}

	/**
	 * Register Widgets
	 *
	 * Register new Elementor widgets.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function register_widgets() {
		// It's now safe to include Widgets files.
		$this->include_widgets_files();

		// Register the plugin widget classes.
		\Elementor\Plugin::instance()->widgets_manager->register_widget_type( new Widgets\Awesomesauce() );
	}

	/**
	 *  Plugin class constructor
	 *
	 * Register plugin action hooks and filters
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 * @access public
	 */
	public function __construct() {
		// Register the widgets.
		add_action( 'elementor/widgets/widgets_registered', array( $this, 'register_widgets' ) );
	}
}

// Instantiate the Widgets class.
Widgets::instance();

To begin with, this code is wrapped within the ElementorAwesomesauce namespace, ensuring encapsulation and avoiding any conflicts with other plugins. Safety first!

The Widgets class follows the singleton pattern, meaning there can only be one instance of it. This ensures efficient usage and prevents unnecessary duplication of resources.

One of the key functions within this class is include_widgets_files(). As the name suggests, it includes the required widget files. In this case, it loads the class-awesomesauce.php file, which contains the code for the Awesomesauce widget.

The register_widgets() function is responsible for registering the custom widget with Elementor. It uses the register_widget_type() method provided by the Elementor plugin to achieve this. In our case, it registers the Awesomesauce widget, making it available for use in the Elementor editor.

Finally, the constructor of the Widgets class takes care of hooking into the appropriate action (elementor/widgets/widgets_registered) to trigger the registration of the custom widgets when the Elementor widgets are being registered.

Lastly, this code is designed to create an amazing Elementor widget called Awesomesauce. It’s packed with features that allow you to tailor the widget to your liking. Let’s break it down!

<?php
/**
 * Awesomesauce class.
 *
 * @category   Class
 * @package    ElementorAwesomesauce
 * @subpackage WordPress
 * @author     Ben Marshall <me@benmarshall.me>
 * @copyright  2020 Ben Marshall
 * @license    https://opensource.org/licenses/GPL-3.0 GPL-3.0-only
 * @link       link(https://www.benmarshall.me/build-custom-elementor-widgets/,
 *             Build Custom Elementor Widgets)
 * @since      1.0.0
 * php version 7.3.9
 */

namespace ElementorAwesomesauce\Widgets;

use Elementor\Widget_Base;
use Elementor\Controls_Manager;

// Security Note: Blocks direct access to the plugin PHP files.
defined( 'ABSPATH' ) || die();

/**
 * Awesomesauce widget class.
 *
 * @since 1.0.0
 */
class Awesomesauce extends Widget_Base {
	/**
	 * Class constructor.
	 *
	 * @param array $data Widget data.
	 * @param array $args Widget arguments.
	 */
	public function __construct( $data = array(), $args = null ) {
		parent::__construct( $data, $args );

		wp_register_style( 'awesomesauce', plugins_url( '/assets/css/awesomesauce.css', ELEMENTOR_AWESOMESAUCE ), array(), '1.0.0' );
	}

	/**
	 * Retrieve the widget name.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access public
	 *
	 * @return string Widget name.
	 */
	public function get_name() {
		return 'awesomesauce';
	}

	/**
	 * Retrieve the widget title.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access public
	 *
	 * @return string Widget title.
	 */
	public function get_title() {
		return __( 'Awesomesauce', 'elementor-awesomesauce' );
	}

	/**
	 * Retrieve the widget icon.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access public
	 *
	 * @return string Widget icon.
	 */
	public function get_icon() {
		return 'fa fa-pencil';
	}

	/**
	 * Retrieve the list of categories the widget belongs to.
	 *
	 * Used to determine where to display the widget in the editor.
	 *
	 * Note that currently Elementor supports only one category.
	 * When multiple categories passed, Elementor uses the first one.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access public
	 *
	 * @return array Widget categories.
	 */
	public function get_categories() {
		return array( 'general' );
	}
	
	/**
	 * Enqueue styles.
	 */
	public function get_style_depends() {
		return array( 'awesomesauce' );
	}

	/**
	 * Register the widget controls.
	 *
	 * Adds different input fields to allow the user to change and customize the widget settings.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access protected
	 */
	protected function _register_controls() {
		$this->start_controls_section(
			'section_content',
			array(
				'label' => __( 'Content', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
			)
		);

		$this->add_control(
			'title',
			array(
				'label'   => __( 'Title', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
				'type'    => Controls_Manager::TEXT,
				'default' => __( 'Title', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
			)
		);

		$this->add_control(
			'description',
			array(
				'label'   => __( 'Description', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
				'type'    => Controls_Manager::TEXTAREA,
				'default' => __( 'Description', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
			)
		);

		$this->add_control(
			'content',
			array(
				'label'   => __( 'Content', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
				'type'    => Controls_Manager::WYSIWYG,
				'default' => __( 'Content', 'elementor-awesomesauce' ),
			)
		);

		$this->end_controls_section();
	}

	/**
	 * Render the widget output on the frontend.
	 *
	 * Written in PHP and used to generate the final HTML.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access protected
	 */
	protected function render() {
		$settings = $this->get_settings_for_display();

		$this->add_inline_editing_attributes( 'title', 'none' );
		$this->add_inline_editing_attributes( 'description', 'basic' );
		$this->add_inline_editing_attributes( 'content', 'advanced' );
		?>
		<h2 <?php echo $this->get_render_attribute_string( 'title' ); ?>><?php echo wp_kses( $settings['title'], array() ); ?></h2>
		<div <?php echo $this->get_render_attribute_string( 'description' ); ?>><?php echo wp_kses( $settings['description'], array() ); ?></div>
		<div <?php echo $this->get_render_attribute_string( 'content' ); ?>><?php echo wp_kses( $settings['content'], array() ); ?></div>
		<?php
	}

	/**
	 * Render the widget output in the editor.
	 *
	 * Written as a Backbone JavaScript template and used to generate the live preview.
	 *
	 * @since 1.0.0
	 *
	 * @access protected
	 */
	protected function _content_template() {
		?>
		<#
		view.addInlineEditingAttributes( 'title', 'none' );
		view.addInlineEditingAttributes( 'description', 'basic' );
		view.addInlineEditingAttributes( 'content', 'advanced' );
		#>
		<h2 {{{ view.getRenderAttributeString( 'title' ) }}}>{{{ settings.title }}}</h2>
		<div {{{ view.getRenderAttributeString( 'description' ) }}}>{{{ settings.description }}}</div>
		<div {{{ view.getRenderAttributeString( 'content' ) }}}>{{{ settings.content }}}</div>
		<?php
	}
}

First, we have the class constructor, which registers the widget’s stylesheet, ‘awesomesauce.css‘. This ensures that the widget’s styles are properly enqueued and applied.

Next, we have a series of functions that define various aspects of the widget. These functions include get_name(), get_title(), get_icon(), and get_categories(). They provide information such as the widget’s name, title, icon, and the category it belongs to in the Elementor editor.

The get_style_depends() function enqueues the ‘awesomesauce‘ style as a dependency for the widget. This ensures that the required styles are loaded when the widget is rendered.

The _register_controls() function is where the widget’s controls are defined. It allows users to customize the widget’s content, including the title, description, and main content. Elementor provides a range of control types, such as text fields, text areas, and WYSIWYG editors, to make customization a breeze.

The render() function generates the widget’s output on the frontend. It retrieves the settings for display and renders the title, description, and content using HTML markup. The settings can be dynamically edited and previewed using the Elementor editor.

Lastly, we have the _content_template() function, which generates the live preview of the widget in the Elementor editor. It uses a Backbone JavaScript template to define how the widget’s output should look during editing.

This is a basic example of creating a custom Elementor widget, and there are many more possibilities you can explore by using different controls and methods provided by Elementor. If you want to dive deeper into creating more complex widgets or extensions for Elementor, I recommend checking out the Elementor Developers Documentation, which provides extensive guides, code snippets, and full code examples​.

Alright, my Elementor wizards, you’ve been patiently following along, and now, it’s time to learn some of the secret sauce that will help you create more advanced Elementor widgets. Are you excited? Because I sure am! Let’s dive in! 🏊‍♀️

Use Existing Elementor Controls

Elementor is like a treasure chest, filled with a wide array of ready-to-use controls. These controls are essentially input fields and UI elements that are used to construct an interface. They allow your users to customize available panel settings and generate their own unique output based on their selections.

So, before you start creating your controls from scratch, have a look at what Elementor already offers. You might find that the control you need already exists. Plus, using existing controls will save you time and ensure consistency with the Elementor interface.

Register New Controls

The beauty of Elementor is that it’s not only a tool, it’s a canvas that allows for creativity. If the existing controls don’t fully meet your needs, don’t fret! Elementor allows you to register new control types as needed. This means you have the freedom and flexibility to create a widget that perfectly matches your vision.

Remember, though, that with great power comes great responsibility. Make sure that any new controls you create are user-friendly and integrate well with the Elementor UI. After all, we want our widgets to be a joy to use!

Elementor’s native functionality can be greatly extended by using third-party add-ons, many of which provide custom widgets that add new features and design possibilities. Here are some real-world examples of such widgets:

1. Slider Revolution Widget: Slider Revolution is a popular plugin that offers a custom Elementor widget. This widget allows users to easily add and customize sliders created with Slider Revolution directly from the Elementor editor.
2. Essential Addons for Elementor: This is a collection of widgets designed to extend the capabilities of Elementor. It includes widgets for creating advanced posts grids, creative buttons, countdown timers, and more.
3. Ultimate Addons for Elementor: Another collection of custom widgets, this plugin includes widgets for advanced heading, multi-buttons, table of contents, and more.
4. Element Pack: This plugin offers an extensive collection of premium, custom Elementor widgets. It includes widgets for chart creation, image magnifier, switcher, and many more.
5. Dynamic Content for Elementor: This plugin focuses on providing widgets that offer dynamic content functionality. This includes widgets for dynamic posts, dynamic users, and more.

These examples represent a small fraction of the available custom widgets for Elementor. Each adds unique and powerful capabilities to Elementor, extending its utility and making it an even more versatile tool for designing WordPress websites.

Wrapping Up

Well, my friends, we’ve reached the end of our journey on how to create an Elementor widget. 🚀 From understanding the basic concepts of Elementor and WordPress plugin development, to coding our very own simple Elementor widget, and finally exploring some advanced tips and tricks, we have covered quite a bit of ground. 🌎

By now, you should be well-equipped to create an Elementor widget of your own. Remember, practice makes perfect! So, don’t stop here. Continue to explore, experiment, and enhance your skills. The more you play around with Elementor and its widgets, the better you’ll get at creating your own.

This wonderful journey of ours doesn’t have to end here. The world of WordPress and Elementor is constantly evolving, and there is always something new to learn. So, stay curious, my friends, and never stop learning! 🧠💡

In the words of the great Albert Einstein, “Once you stop learning, you start dying”. Let’s continue to learn, grow, and create fantastic websites that amaze and inspire.

And remember, the only limit is your imagination. So, dream big, and make it happen! 💫

Before we part ways, I just want to remind you that the Elementor community is a great resource. You’ll find it teeming with passionate developers and designers who are always ready to share their knowledge and expertise. So, don’t be shy, join the community, and share your own custom widgets with the world!

So, are you ready to create an Elementor widget that will rock the WordPress world? I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Remember, the sky’s the limit. So, go forth and create! 🚀🌟

Thank you for joining me on this journey. It’s been a blast, and I hope you’ve found this guide helpful.

Keep creating, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun! 🎉

Until next time, happy Elementor widget creating! 👋😄