When you know what powers a website, it’s easier to plan redesigns, troubleshoot issues, and benchmark competitors. Whether you’re in the sales process or the discovery phase, identifying a site’s tech stack provides valuable insights and can be done in a few minutes using some modern tools.
Here are three quick ways to uncover this information:
1. Use BuiltWith Technology Lookup
The simplest method?
Use the free tool BuiltWith Technology Lookup.
Just paste the website URL, and it will instantly show you the platform, CMS, plugins, and other technologies the website uses. BuiltWith takes the guesswork out of tech analysis and is an essential resource for agencies.
2. Check Browser Developer Tools
If Builtwith doesn’t work, Modern browsers like Google Chrome include built-in inspection tools:
- Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect.
- Under the Elements tab, look for clues like the meta tag: <meta name=”generator” content=”WordPress”>.
- Check for file paths like /wp-content/ or /wp-includes/, which confirm the use of WordPress.
Other Helpful Tools:
For Looking Up Domain Registrars and DNS Records:
If you are looking into a site’s Domain Registrar or current DNS records, the tools below can help out in a pinch and are free to use!
Domain Registrar Look Up
Who Is Look Up – https://lookup.icann.org/en
DNS Look Up (Requires A Free Account)
Security Trails – https://securitytrails.com/
Not quite sure what the difference is between the two? Check out our article on the differences between Domain Registrars, DNS Providers, and Hosts.
Why Website Tech Matters to Agencies
Understanding a website’s technology stack allows Agencies like yours to:
- Accurately estimate redesign costs.
- Diagnose issues and provide faster solutions.
- Plan upgrades tailored to each client’s platform.
