Parallax backgrounds can make your website more dynamic and add depth to the design. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a parallax background in Elementor to give your site a captivating visual experience.
What is a Parallax Effect?
The parallax effect creates the illusion of depth and movement by moving the background at a speed different from the foreground. As you scroll through a webpage, the background moves slower than the content, creating a dynamic, immersive experience. Parallax effects are widely used in web design and gaming to enhance the visual impact.
Why Use Parallax Backgrounds?
Parallax effects capture visitors’ attention and give the content a more three-dimensional feel. Adjusting the speed difference between the background and foreground can create a sense of motion and depth, improving user experience and potentially increasing page engagement.
How to Create a Parallax Background in Elementor
You can achieve the parallax effect without the need for Elementor Pro. Follow these simple steps to add a parallax background using the free version of Elementor:
Step 1: Create or Edit a Page
First, create a new page or edit an existing one in Elementor.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard, click on Pages > Add New Page, or choose an existing page to edit.
- Click Edit with Elementor to open the Elementor editor.
Step 2: Add a Container and Content
In the Elementor editor, add a new section where the parallax effect will be applied to the background. You can add any content within this section, such as text, images, titles, maps, and icons.
- Click Add New Section and choose a structure (e.g., single column, double column).
- Drag and drop elements like Text Editor, Button, or other widgets into the section.
Step 3: Add a Background
Next, you’ll add a background image to the section with the parallax effect.
- Click on the Edit Section icon to open the section settings.
- Go to the Style tab.
- Under Background Type, select Classic.
- Click Choose Image and upload or select a background image from your media library.
- Adjust the image display options, such as position, repeat, etc., to ensure the image looks good on the page.
Step 4: Enable the Parallax Effect
This is the crucial step. The parallax effect is achieved by fixing the background image to stay in place while the foreground content moves during scrolling.
- Under Background Type, please find the Attachment option and set it to Fixed.
- This will fix the background image while the foreground moves as you scroll, creating the parallax effect.
- You can further adjust the background settings, such as alignment or scaling, to optimize the image’s appearance.
Step 5: Save and Preview the Effect
After completing the steps, preview your page to see the parallax effect.
- Click the Preview Changes (eye icon) button in Elementor.
- Scroll through the page in the preview window to observe how the parallax effect looks as you scroll.
How to Further Optimize the Parallax Background?
If the default parallax effect doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider the following optimization tips:
- Adjust the Background Image Transparency: You can adjust the transparency of the background image to make the foreground content stand out more.
- Add a Color Overlay: Adding a transparent color overlay on top of the background image can enhance the consistency of your overall design.
- Combine with Animation Effects: If you want even more dynamic effects, use Elementor’s scroll animations to add motion to foreground and background elements.