How to Find Out What Website Builder Was Used in 4 Simple Steps

I completely understand the curiosity that comes from stumbling upon a beautifully designed website. “Did they use a website builder to make this?” you might wonder.

Knowing which website builder platform someone used can give you valuable insight that can help with your own website and its design. In this guide, I’ll give you four methods for how to find out what website builder was used to build a site.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Short On Time? Here Are the 4 Ways to Find Out What Website Builder Someone Used
2. 4 Ways To Find Out Which Website Builder Was Used
3. Now You Know How To See Which Website Builder Someone Used
4. FAQs
5. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Short On Time? Here Are the 4 Ways to Find Out What Website Builder Someone Used
2. 4 Ways To Find Out Which Website Builder Was Used
3. Now You Know How To See Which Website Builder Someone Used
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs
5. References

4 Ways To Find Out Which Website Builder Was Used

Many website builder platforms list their names in the footer of the page, but others make things more difficult. Thankfully, there are a few options for finding out which website builder platform was used to build a website.

1. Leverage Free Online Tools

One of the easiest ways to uncover the website builder behind a site is by using free online tools. These platforms analyze a website’s technologies and present the findings in a user-friendly report. To use them, enter the website URL of the site you’re interested in, and you’ll likely see the website builder listed among the results.

For instance, when using online tools, you might discover that the restaurant website you like uses one of the top website builders for restaurants, such as WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. These website builders are widely used due to their user-friendly interfaces and extensive feature sets, making them suitable for various niche websites.

These tools are incredibly easy to use and don’t require any technical expertise. However, the free versions don’t provide all the details on a website’s technologies. Platforms like BuiltWith offer upgraded plans with more in-depth analysis and additional features.

2. Use Browser Extensions

Browser extensions are another quick and easy way to identify the web technologies behind a website, including the builder used. These handy tools integrate directly into your web browser, allowing you to analyze a site’s technology with just a click.

This is a good option if you often find yourself wanting to check out the implementation details of the sites you’re browsing.

To use these extensions, install them in your browser and navigate to the website you want to analyze. Click on the extension’s icon, and you’ll see a list of the detected technologies, which often includes the website builder.

3. Inspect the Source Code

If you have some coding knowledge, you probably don’t need to use any of these tools. However, directly inspecting a website’s source code (HTML and Javascript) can reveal valuable information about the technologies used, including the website builder.

This method requires a touch more technical expertise but can provide deeper insights than the previous two.

How to Inspect HTML Source Code

To view a website’s HTML source code, follow these steps:

• Right-click anywhere on the web page and select “View Page Source” (Chrome or Edge), “Page Source” (Firefox), or “Show Page Source” (Safari).
• The source code will open in a new tab or window. Don’t worry—you don’t need to understand all of the code; you’ll just be looking for the telltale signs of a website builder.
• Use the search function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to find clues about the website builder.

Here are some common clues to look for and what they reveal:

How to Inspect a Website’s Javascript Libraries

To look at a website’s Javascript libraries, do the following:

In the web Developer Tools, go to the “Sources” or “Network” tab and look for loaded JavaScript files. There are particular libraries that are commonly associated with specific website builders.

Here are some examples:

• Wix: Look for wix.com or wixstatic.com
• Shopify: Look for shopify.com
• Squarespace: Look for static.squarespace.com
• WordPress.com: For WordPress sites, look for WordPress plugins like wp-content/plugins or wp.com

Other website builders leave their own specific marks in the source code. As you can see, the source code of a web page can quite often reveal the website builder that’s been used to create it, even if the details are obscured on the actual web page itself.

4. The Direct Approach

If the methods above don’t reveal the website builder, check the website’s community or forum, if it has one. Often, users will discuss the technology being used. You could also try posting a question asking about it.

Alternatively, contact the website owner directly through their contact form or email address. Let them know you admire their site and are curious about what website builder they used to make it. Many website owners are happy to share this information, particularly if you’re not a direct competitor.

While these methods aren’t guaranteed, they provide additional avenues to explore if you’re still unsure what website builder powers a site you’re interested in. With some persistence and the right approach, you’ll be able to uncover the website technology stack behind most websites.

Now You Know How To See Which Website Builder Someone Used

In this guide, I’ve explored several methods for uncovering the website builder behind a site. Each approach caters to different skill levels and needs.

By identifying a site’s website builder, you can gain valuable insight into how it functions, is structured, and is designed. This knowledge can inform work on your own website, whether you’re looking for inspiration, trying to replicate certain features, or choosing the best platform for your needs.

To further assist you in your website-building journey, I recommend exploring our guides on the best website builders and free website builders. These resources provide in-depth reviews and comparisons of popular platforms, helping you make an informed decision for your next project.

FAQs