CLEVER – HTML5 Radio Player & History – Elementor is an enhanced version of the widely used CLEVER radio player plugin, tailored specifically for WordPress users who build their websites with Elementor. Elementor is one of the most popular page builders for WordPress, known for its intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and real-time frontend editing.

This version of CLEVER capitalizes on Elementor’s visual interface by introducing a dedicated widget or module, allowing users to embed and customize radio players and track history displays directly within their page layouts — without writing a single line of code. For broadcasters, musicians, media companies, and online radio aggregators, this plugin makes it exceptionally easy to add rich, audio-driven functionality to WordPress pages in a stylish and user-friendly way.

In this description, we’ll dive into its features, Elementor-specific capabilities, user benefits, and practical use cases.

Seamless Elementor Integration

One of the standout features of this plugin is tight integration with Elementor. Instead of relying on shortcodes or PHP templates, users can access CLEVER’s features directly from the Elementor interface.

Key Elementor Integration Benefits:

Drag-and-Drop: Add the radio player to any section or widget area with a simple drag.
Real-Time Preview: See changes (e.g., layout, theme, stream link) in real-time while building.
No Shortcodes Needed: Unlike the standalone version, Elementor support means zero shortcode configuration — ideal for beginners or non-technical users.
Modular Widgets: Use different widgets for the player, track history, “Now Playing,” and more.

This integration ensures that even complex radio player layouts can be constructed visually in minutes.

Core Features of the CLEVER Plugin (Retained in Elementor Version)

Though the Elementor-specific version enhances usability, it retains the core strengths of CLEVER. Let’s walk through the primary functions carried over from the main plugin:

1. HTML5 Live Radio Streaming

CLEVER uses the modern HTML5 <audio> element for reliable streaming, eliminating any dependence on Flash or outdated browser plugins.

Supported stream types:

Shoutcast v1/v2
Icecast
Radiojar
AzuraCast
Any compatible MP3/stream URL

2. “Now Playing” Display and Track History

The plugin can fetch and display the current song and previously played tracks by reading stream metadata. It uses optional APIs (e.g., iTunes or Last.fm) to supplement this information with:

Artist name
Song title
Album cover (if available)
Time of play

This feature is not only aesthetic but also functional — helping users discover new music or check what they just heard.

3. Responsive Design and Mobile Compatibility

CLEVER’s player layouts are fully responsive. Whether it’s being viewed on desktops, tablets, or smartphones, the player scales correctly with clean UI controls and no loss of functionality.

This responsiveness is maintained even within Elementor’s responsive preview tools, allowing designers to tailor the experience per device breakpoint.

4. Multiple Skins and Design Customization

Within Elementor, CLEVER widgets offer extensive customization options. Users can:

Choose between different player skins (compact, full-width, minimal, etc.)
Change colors, fonts, borders, and backgrounds
Set padding/margin, alignment, and visibility across breakpoints

This ensures the radio player can seamlessly integrate into any Elementor layout or theme aesthetic.

5. Pop-up Player Support

The pop-up player mode allows the audio stream to continue playing across multiple page visits. Elementor users can configure this either through a button widget or an inline player toggle.

It’s particularly useful for:

News and blog sites with high bounce rates
Audio portals where continuous playback enhances user retention

6. Multi-Station Support

If your site offers multiple radio stations, CLEVER lets you switch between them through:

Dropdown selectors
Tabbed navigation
Custom buttons linked to station presets

All of this can be customized via Elementor’s visual controls.

Elementor Widgets and Settings Breakdown

CLEVER adds several Elementor widgets to your page builder’s widget panel. Here’s an overview of the most important ones:

1. Radio Player Widget

Stream URL entry
Play/pause control
Display album art
Customize layout & behavior
Skin selection and styling options

2. Track History Widget

List of recently played tracks
Show/hide cover art
Time stamps (optional)
Design controls for spacing, font, and list style

3. Now Playing Widget

Displays the current song
Shows artist and track title
Optional animated text ticker
Album art integration

4. Station Selector Widget

Dropdown or button-style station switcher
Display station logos or names
Smooth transition between streams

5. Popup Trigger Widget

Launches the player in a separate browser window
Custom button label and design
Optional behavior settings (e.g., auto-open on load)

Practical Use Cases

With Elementor integration, CLEVER becomes even more accessible and versatile. Here are some real-world scenarios in which it shines:

1. Musician or Band Websites

Independent artists can create a “Listen Live” section that features their live stream. With Elementor, they can visually style the section to match album art or branding, and embed song history below for fans to explore past tracks.

2. Online Radio Directories

Websites that curate multiple stations can offer dynamic station selectors built in Elementor, with fully designed sections for each stream. CLEVER’s modular widgets allow each station to have its own unique presentation.

3. Event or Festival Pages

Event websites can embed a live broadcast stream during an ongoing festival or concert, with track information and rotating album covers. Elementor helps ensure these sections look modern and responsive.

4. Campus Radio or Community Stations

University or community radio stations can update their website easily, with students or volunteers managing the layout using Elementor without needing developer skills.

5. Lifestyle or Music Blogs

Blogs that curate playlists or feature artist spotlights can embed CLEVER’s player to accompany articles. The visual flexibility of Elementor ensures seamless alignment with blog themes.

Ease of Use and Setup

The plugin is designed to be plug-and-play, especially when combined with Elementor. Here’s a typical workflow:

Install and Activate the Plugin
- Accessible from the WordPress plugin repository or uploaded manually.
Add a New Page or Section Using Elementor
- Drag and drop a CLEVER widget onto your layout.
Configure Stream Settings
- Enter stream URLs, select visual skin, choose metadata options.
Customize Appearance
- Use Elementor’s built-in styling tools to match brand colors, fonts, and layout.
Preview and Publish
- View changes live as you make them, ensuring everything is mobile-optimized and styled.

No need to deal with theme files, complex PHP, or shortcode logic — everything is handled visually.

Strengths Summary

Elementor-native: Deep integration with Elementor for seamless page building
Modular widgets: Includes separate widgets for player, history, now playing, etc.
Highly visual customization: Leverage Elementor’s styling tools fully
Live preview editing: Instantly see changes as you build
No coding required: Ideal for non-technical users, designers, and content editors
All core CLEVER features included: Streaming, metadata, album art, responsiveness

Conclusion

CLEVER – HTML5 Radio Player & History – Elementor is a top-tier WordPress plugin designed for web creators who value ease of use, visual flexibility, and engaging media experiences. By combining the reliability and rich features of the original CLEVER radio plugin with the intuitive design power of Elementor, this plugin enables users to build fully customized, professional-grade radio player sections in minutes — no development skills needed.

Whether you’re managing a multi-station radio portal, building a fan site for an artist, or running a live broadcast from a festival, CLEVER for Elementor empowers you to create immersive listening experiences that look as good as they sound.

CLEVER – HTML5 Radio Player & History – Elementor