Discovering the platform behind a website can be valuable for various reasons, from understanding its design capabilities to exploring potential customization options. There are several methods to help you determine which website builder has been used to create a particular site. Below are some of the most effective techniques.

  • Check the Page Source: Inspecting the HTML source code can reveal valuable clues about the technology behind the site.
  • Use Online Tools: Several online tools are designed to identify the website builder based on the site’s structure and metadata.
  • Look for Visual Cues: Sometimes, websites include branding or footer links that point to the platform used for creation.

One common method is to view the page source. By right-clicking on a webpage and selecting "View Page Source," you can search for specific keywords or patterns that may indicate the platform used.

Important: Look for meta tags, comments, or specific JavaScript libraries in the code that might link to a popular platform like WordPress, Shopify, or Wix.

Another useful method is to utilize specialized online tools. These platforms can analyze the structure of the website and determine which builder or content management system (CMS) was likely used.

  1. BuiltWith
  2. Wappalyzer
  3. WhatCMS
Tool Function
BuiltWith Identifies the CMS, analytics tools, and technology stack used by the website.
Wappalyzer Detects the technologies and platforms used on websites.
WhatCMS Specifically identifies CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, etc.

Check the Website’s HTML Source Code for Builder Signatures

When trying to identify the platform behind a website, examining its HTML source code can often reveal telltale signs of a particular website builder. Many website builders add specific metadata, classes, or comments to the HTML that point to their identity. These elements are usually embedded within the source code and can be a quick way to uncover the platform used.

To check the source code, right-click on the webpage and select "View Page Source" or use the "Ctrl+U" shortcut. Once the source code opens, you can search for key indicators that might give clues about the builder. The following sections highlight some common markers.

Common Markers in HTML Source Code

  • Meta Tags: Website builders often insert specific meta tags in the head section. For example, the tag `` might indicate that WordPress is being used.
  • CSS Classes and IDs: Certain platforms use unique classes and IDs that can be spotted in the HTML structure. For instance, `
    ` points to a WordPress block editor.
  • Comments: Some builders leave behind comments in the code. For example, comments like `` can directly point to the builder in use.

Tools and Methods to Simplify the Process

  1. Search for keywords: Use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F) to search for words like "Wix", "Squarespace", or "Shopify". These terms often appear in code snippets or URLs associated with the platform.
  2. Check for JavaScript files: Specific website builders load custom JavaScript files, which can often be found in the source code. For example, a URL like `shopify.com` or `wp-content` could point to the use of Shopify or WordPress.
  3. Use online tools: Platforms like BuiltWith or Wappalyzer allow you to easily analyze the technology stack of any website without manually digging through the source code.

"A website builder’s signature is often subtle but can be easily uncovered by closely examining the source code for specific patterns and markers."

Understanding Builder-Specific Code Elements

Platform Common HTML Markers
WordPress wp-content, wp-includes
Wix data-wix
Shopify shopify.js

Use Online Tools to Detect the Platform Behind a Website

Identifying the platform used to build a website is crucial for understanding its structure, scalability, and customization options. Fortunately, there are several online tools that can provide insight into the underlying technology of any website. These tools scan different aspects of the site, from HTML headers to JavaScript files, to reveal the website builder or CMS (Content Management System) that powers it.

Online tools are easy to use and provide immediate results, making them an essential resource for web developers, marketers, and business owners. Here are some of the most effective methods for detecting the platform behind a website:

Popular Online Platforms for Detection

  • BuiltWith: This tool offers detailed insights into the technologies, including the CMS, analytics tools, eCommerce platforms, and more.
  • Wappalyzer: A browser extension and online tool that identifies software frameworks, libraries, and web hosting platforms.
  • WhatRuns: Provides information about the website’s CMS, plugins, and even specific JavaScript libraries in use.

How These Tools Work

Most of these tools use advanced scanning techniques to analyze various elements of the website. For example, they might look for specific patterns in the HTML code or JavaScript that are characteristic of particular platforms. Here's how they typically detect the platform:

  1. HTML Headers: The presence of meta tags or headers indicating a specific CMS or framework.
  2. JavaScript Files: Certain platforms load unique JavaScript files that are associated with their system.
  3. CSS Styles: Some website builders include distinctive CSS class names that can be matched with known platforms.

Summary of Key Tools

Tool Features Website
BuiltWith Comprehensive tech stack analysis builtwith.com
Wappalyzer Browser extension, real-time detection wappalyzer.com
WhatRuns Identifies plugins, themes, and tech stacks whatruns.com

Using these online tools is one of the fastest ways to uncover the technology behind any website, giving you a better understanding of how it was built and what can be customized.

Inspect the URL Structure and Common Platform Indicators

When trying to determine the website builder used to create a site, the URL structure can often provide useful clues. Many website platforms have distinct patterns in their URL structures, such as specific subdomains or folder names that are common to certain builders. By analyzing these patterns, you can often deduce the platform powering the site.

Additionally, many content management systems (CMS) or website builders append recognizable keywords or parameters to URLs. This can give you valuable information about the technology behind the site. For example, platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Shopify have distinctive URL characteristics that are easy to spot if you know what to look for.

Common Indicators in URL Structure

  • WordPress: URLs often contain "/wp-content/" or "/wp-admin/".
  • Wix: Wix sites frequently use "/site/" in the URL structure.
  • Shopify: Shopify stores usually have "/collections/" or "/products/".
  • Squarespace: URLs often include "/config/" or "/index.php".

Tip: Check for distinctive folder names, such as "/content/" for Joomla! or "/store/" for Shopify, as they may point directly to the platform used.

Additional Clues from the URL Structure

  1. Subdomains: Some platforms use subdomains like "wordpress.com" or "wixsite.com" for hosted sites.
  2. File Extensions: Look for ".html", ".php", or ".php?query=", which can indicate the underlying technology.
  3. Unique Parameters: URL parameters like "utm_source" or "ref" can indicate third-party integrations common in some website builders.

Table of Common URL Indicators

Platform URL Indicator
WordPress /wp-content/
Wix /site/
Shopify /collections/
Squarespace /config/

Identify Common Widgets or Plugins Used by Specific Builders

Understanding the tools used to build a website can be crucial when trying to identify the platform behind it. Many website builders come with pre-installed plugins or widgets that offer unique functionalities. These elements can help determine which website builder was used. For example, certain website builders may only support a specific set of plugins or widgets, making it easier to recognize the platform by examining these features.

By identifying the plugins or widgets that are visible on a website, you can narrow down the possible builders used. Here are some common examples that can reveal important clues about the platform:

Common Widgets or Plugins by Builder

  • WordPress: Frequently uses widgets like Elementor, WooCommerce, and WPForms.
  • Wix: Known for widgets such as Wix App Market, Wix Stores, and Wix Blog.
  • Shopify: Utilizes plugins like Shopify Payments, Oberlo, and Shopify Product Reviews.

Important: Certain builders often come bundled with their own set of predefined widgets or plugins. If you notice that a particular widget or plugin is unique to a platform, this could provide a strong clue as to which website builder was used.

Comparing Plugins

Builder Common Plugins/Widgets
WordPress Elementor, WooCommerce, WPForms
Wix Wix App Market, Wix Stores, Wix Blog
Shopify Shopify Payments, Oberlo, Product Reviews

How to Identify Website Builders by Platform-Specific Meta Tags

One of the quickest ways to determine which website builder was used for a particular site is by examining its meta tags. These tags, often included in the HTML source code, provide information about the tools or platforms that may have been employed to build the site. They are embedded in the head section of the page and can reveal valuable hints about the underlying software.

Different website builders often insert specific meta tags or identify themselves through platform-specific attributes within the HTML. By inspecting these tags, you can gather clues to help identify whether the site was built using platforms such as WordPress, Wix, Shopify, or others. Here are a few key areas to focus on:

Important Meta Tags to Look For

  • WordPress: The presence of the "generator" meta tag with a value of "WordPress" indicates the site was built on WordPress. Example: <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 5.7">
  • Wix: Look for the "wix.com" string in the meta tag or specific HTML comments that mention Wix. Example: <meta name="generator" content="Wix.com">
  • Shopify: Shopify stores often include specific meta tags like <meta name="generator" content="Shopify"> or use unique paths in the source code, such as "/collections/".
  • Squarespace: Squarespace sites often contain a meta tag with the "squarespace" string in the content field.

Identifying Website Builders Using HTML Comments

Many website builders also add comments in the HTML source code, which can directly point to the platform used. These comments are not visible on the page itself but can be revealed by inspecting the code. Here’s a simple method for identifying a platform through comments:

  1. Right-click on the webpage and select "View Page Source" or "Inspect Element".
  2. Search for comments in the HTML, such as or .
  3. If found, these comments clearly indicate which platform was used to build the site.

Additional Clues in HTTP Headers

Sometimes, inspecting the HTTP headers can also provide valuable information about the platform. Some builders, like WordPress, may leave traces in the response headers. Here is an example of how to check HTTP headers:

Tool Example Header
WordPress Server: nginx, X-Powered-By: WordPress
Wix Server: Wix, X-Wix-Server-Proxy: 1

Platform-specific meta tags and comments provide easy-to-find clues to help identify the website builder, speeding up the process of figuring out which tool was used.

Analyze the Site’s Hosting Provider for Clues

One way to identify which platform was used to build a website is to examine its hosting provider. Different website builders often use specific hosting services, and these can sometimes provide direct or indirect clues about the platform behind the site. By checking the website's hosting information, you might uncover valuable insights into its development tools and environment.

Hosting providers can be a strong indicator of the website builder used. For example, certain platforms like WordPress are commonly hosted on particular servers, while other builders like Wix or Squarespace might have more distinct hosting characteristics. To begin your search, use a hosting lookup tool to determine which company is hosting the website, then cross-reference that information with known platform hosting patterns.

Steps to Analyze Hosting Information

  • Use an online hosting lookup tool (e.g., WhoIsHostingThis or Site24x7).
  • Identify the name of the hosting provider from the results.
  • Research the hosting provider to check if they are affiliated with a specific website builder.

Key Considerations:

Some platforms, like Shopify and Wix, host websites exclusively on their own servers, so if a site is hosted by one of these providers, it’s a clear clue that the site was built using their respective builder.

Common Hosting Providers and Their Associated Website Builders

Hosting Provider Common Website Builders
GoDaddy WordPress, Custom Built, Wix
Bluehost WordPress, Custom Built
Shopify Shopify
Wix Wix

Note: If a site is hosted on a specific platform, such as Shopify or Wix, it's likely that the site was built using that platform's tools.

Utilize Browser Extensions for Detecting Website Builders

One of the easiest ways to determine which platform was used to build a website is by using browser extensions. These tools can quickly analyze the underlying code of a site and provide insight into the technology stack, including the website builder. By installing the appropriate extension, users can gather detailed information about the builder, plugins, and even the CMS used to create the site.

These extensions are typically lightweight, easy to install, and offer quick results. In addition, they often provide additional information, such as whether the site uses a content management system (CMS) or a custom-built solution, which can be extremely helpful for developers, designers, or digital marketers.

Common Extensions for Identifying Website Builders

  • Wappalyzer - One of the most popular tools for identifying website technologies, including website builders, CMS, e-commerce platforms, and more.
  • BuiltWith - This extension provides detailed reports on the technologies used to build websites, from hosting providers to CMS platforms.
  • WhatRuns - A versatile extension that detects not only website builders but also scripts, analytics tools, and fonts used on the site.

How to Use Browser Extensions Effectively

  1. Install the Extension: Go to your browser’s extension marketplace and search for the desired tool, such as Wappalyzer or BuiltWith.
  2. Analyze the Website: After installation, navigate to the website you want to analyze, and click the extension icon. The tool will show a detailed breakdown of technologies.
  3. Interpret the Results: Most extensions will display clear labels, such as “WordPress,” “Shopify,” or “Wix,” to identify the builder used.

Important: Some websites may use custom-built solutions or heavily modified versions of common platforms, making it harder to identify the specific builder using extensions.

Limitations of Browser Extensions

Limitation Explanation
Custom Solutions Websites that use highly customized builders or proprietary technology may not be easily identified by these extensions.
Accuracy Sometimes, extensions may misidentify or fail to recognize certain tools due to the way they are integrated into the site.

Contact the Website Owner for Confirmation

If you're unable to determine the website builder through other methods, reaching out directly to the website owner can provide the most reliable answer. Many site owners are willing to share this information, especially if you are inquiring for legitimate reasons such as collaboration or partnership opportunities. Before you contact them, it's a good idea to prepare a clear and polite message explaining why you're asking about the platform used for building their site.

Here are some important steps to consider when reaching out:

  1. Identify the contact method: Look for a "Contact" page, social media profiles, or email address on the site. Some websites even have a live chat feature that can be used for quick communication.
  2. Craft a concise message: Introduce yourself, explain why you need to know the website builder, and ask if they can share the platform used for their site. Be respectful of their time.
  3. Respect their privacy: If the owner is unwilling to disclose the information, respect their decision and explore other methods for finding out.

"Reaching out directly can be the most effective way to get a clear answer, but it's important to approach with professionalism and understanding."

In some cases, the website owner might respond with the exact platform or provide additional insights about their website development process. However, be aware that some may prefer to keep such details private, especially if they are using a custom-built solution or have specific reasons for not disclosing the information.