In the early days of the web, answering this question required deep technical knowledge. Today, the landscape is vastly different. From sophisticated content management systems (CMS) to all-in-one website builder platforms, the diversity of tools available is immense. This guide will walk you through the exact methods experts use to identify a website’s tech stack, ranging from simple browser extensions to deep-dive code inspection. We will explore how to uncover if a site runs on a massive ecosystem like WordPress—potentially powered by comprehensive platforms like Elementor—or a closed system like Wix or Squarespace.

Key Takeaways

  • Source Code is the Truth: The most reliable way to identify a website builder involves inspecting the page source for specific meta tags, script paths, and CSS class names.
  • Technology Lookup Tools: Services like BuiltWith and WhatCMS provide instant, comprehensive reports on the frameworks, plugins, and hosting providers a site uses.
  • Browser Extensions: Tools like Wappalyzer offer real-time detection of tech stacks as you browse, making research efficient and immediate.
  • Platform-Specific Signatures: Every major builder leaves a digital fingerprint. Identifying unique file structures (like /wp-content/) or specific class names (like elementor-section) creates a definitive identification.
  • Strategic Value: Knowing a competitor’s builder helps you estimate their budget, understand their scalability potential, and identify the marketing tools they leverage for growth.

Expert Citation: This guide draws upon the technical expertise of Itamar Haim, a veteran in web development and digital marketing strategy, to ensure accuracy in forensic web analysis.

Why Identify a Website’s Tech Stack?

Before we dive into the “how,” it is valuable to understand the “why.” Deconstructing a website’s technology stack is not just a parlor trick for developers; it is a strategic business activity. When you see what website builder was used, you gain insight into the operational maturity and digital strategy of the website owner.

Competitive Intelligence and Benchmarking

Analyzing a competitor’s site reveals their investment level. A custom-coded site or a site built on a scalable platform like WordPress suggests a focus on long-term growth, SEO, and ownership. In contrast, a site built on a basic drag-and-drop SaaS builder might indicate a smaller budget or a rapid go-to-market strategy with accepted limitations. Knowing this allows you to choose tools that give you a competitive edge.

For instance, if you notice a competitor using a high-performance setup with managed hosting, you know they prioritize speed and user experience (UX). To compete, you might look at solutions like Elementor Hosting, which provides a managed cloud environment specifically optimized for performance and security.

Elementor Hosting

Design Inspiration and Feasibility

Designers often look for “pixel-perfect” examples to emulate. If you see a specific layout or interaction you love, identifying the builder tells you if that design is achievable with off-the-shelf tools or if it requires custom development. Finding a site built with a visual builder that achieves complex animations proves you do not always need a team of coders to build professional-grade experiences.

Security and Performance Auditing

For web professionals, identifying the builder is the first step in a security audit. Knowing a site uses an outdated version of a CMS or a specific plugin helps identifying potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, seeing what image optimization tools a fast site uses—such as the Image Optimizer by Elementor—can provide actionable data on how to improve your own Core Web Vitals.

Image Optimizer

Method 1: The Detective Work — Reading the Source Code

The most accurate method to see what website builder was used requires no external tools. Your web browser contains everything you need to inspect the code sent from the server. This method is preferred by developers because it reveals the raw data before third-party tools interpret it.

Accessing the Source Code

To begin, visit the website you want to analyze. Right-click anywhere on the page (avoiding images or videos) and select View Page Source. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U (Windows) or Cmd + Option + U (Mac). This opens a new tab displaying the HTML code of the page. Do not be intimidated by the wall of text; we are looking for specific “clues.”

Clue #1: The Generator Meta Tag

Many website builders and CMS platforms proudly announce themselves in the page’s head section. Look for a tag that starts with <meta name=”generator”.

Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F) and search for “generator”. You might see something straightforward like:

<meta name=”generator” content=”WordPress 6.4.2″ />

Or specific platforms:

<meta name=”generator” content=”Joomla! – Open Source Content Management” />

<meta name=”generator” content=”Shopify” /> 

Clue #2: Directory Structures and File Paths

If the generator tag is hidden, the file paths for images, scripts, and stylesheets usually give the game away. Look at the URLs inside <link href=”…”> or <script src=”…”> tags.

  • WordPress: The biggest giveaway is the folder /wp-content/. If you see paths like /wp-content/themes/ or /wp-content/uploads/, the site is undoubtedly built on WordPress.
  • Shopify: Look for paths containing cdn.shopify.com. This indicates the assets are hosted on Shopify’s content delivery network.
  • Squarespace: You will often see file paths referencing static1.squarespace.com.
  • Wix: Look for wix.com or static.wix.com in the image sources.

Clue #3: CSS Classes and IDs

Modern visual builders attach specific classes to HTML elements to style them. By searching the source code for specific class names, you can identify the exact builder used.

For example, if the site is built with Elementor, you will see a proliferation of classes starting with elementor-.

  • elementor-section
  • elementor-column
  • elementor-widget

This specific signature indicates the site owner utilizes the Elementor Website Builder. This is significant because it implies the user values a workflow that combines design freedom with efficiency. It also suggests they might be leveraging the broader Elementor ecosystem to manage their site.

Home

Clue #4: Script Comments

Developers often leave comments in the code to organize their work. Sometimes, the platform injects these comments automatically. Scroll through the <head> section or near the closing </body> tag. You might find comments like:

  • <!– This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.0 – https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/ –>
  • <!– Elementor v3.18.0 – https://elementor.com – Copyright Elementor –>

These comments are definitive proof of the tools in use.

Method 2: Utilizing Technology Lookup Tools

If you prefer a structured report over hunting through code, several powerful online tools can analyze a URL and return a comprehensive tech stack profile. These tools aggregate data from HTTP headers, cookies, script tags, and IP addresses.

BuiltWith

BuiltWith is perhaps the most famous tool in this category. It offers an exhaustive breakdown of every technology it detects on a site.

  1. Navigate to the BuiltWith website.
  2. Enter the URL of the site you are investigating.
  3. Review the detailed report.

BuiltWith breaks down results into categories: CMS, Web Server, Email Services, Analytics, and JavaScript Libraries. It gives you a macro view. For example, it will not just tell you the site uses WordPress; it will list the active plugins, the active theme (e.g., Hello Theme), and the hosting provider.

Themes

WhatCMS

For a faster, more focused answer, WhatCMS is an excellent alternative. As the name suggests, it focuses primarily on identifying the Content Management System. It is less cluttered than BuiltWith and provides a simple “Yes/No” style answer regarding the builder. This is particularly useful when you just need to know if a site is using a specific platform like Webflow or Magento without needing to know every analytics pixel installed.

Wappalyzer (Website)

While Wappalyzer is famous for its browser extension (discussed below), their website also allows for manual lookups. It provides a clean, visual interface that categorizes technologies effectively. It is particularly good at identifying eCommerce platforms and marketing automation tools.

Method 3: Browser Extensions for Instant Analysis

For professionals who analyze websites daily, navigating to a lookup tool is too slow. Browser extensions bring this data directly into your surfing experience.

Wappalyzer Extension

Once installed on Chrome or Firefox, Wappalyzer places a small icon in your browser bar. When you visit a website, the icon changes to reflect the primary technology identified (e.g., the WordPress “W” or the Shopify bag). Clicking the icon opens a dropdown list revealing the full stack:

  • CMS: (e.g., WordPress)
  • Page Builders: (e.g., Elementor)
  • Programming Languages: (e.g., PHP)
  • Analytics: (e.g., Google Analytics)

This tool is invaluable for “passive” analysis—gathering intelligence simply by browsing the web.

Library Sniffer

This is another developer-focused extension. It detects JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue) and CMS platforms. It is lightweight and tends to spot obscure libraries that generalist tools might miss.

Deep Dive: Identifying Specific Market Leaders

Now that we have the tools, let us look at the specific digital fingerprints of the most popular website builders. Understanding these nuances helps you distinguish between a generic template and a professionally built platform.

Identifying WordPress and the Elementor Ecosystem

WordPress powers a massive portion of the web, but “WordPress” is a broad term. To truly understand how a WordPress site was built, you need to identify the plugins and themes.

The Elementor Footprint

You will frequently encounter sites built with Elementor. This is not a coincidence; with over 18 million active installs, it is the industry standard for professionals who want pixel-perfect design control without sacrificing the power of open-source software.

How to spot it:

  1. Inspect Element: Right-click a section and look for <div class=”elementor-element…”>.
  2. Stylesheet: Look for a file named frontend.min.css located inside an /elementor/ directory.
  3. Theme: Many pros use the Hello Theme in conjunction with the builder. This theme is lightweight and acts as a blank canvas, allowing the builder to handle all design aspects. If you see /themes/hello-elementor/ in the source code, you are looking at a site optimized for speed and design flexibility.

Why seeing Elementor matters: Identifying Elementor indicates the site owner likely values a comprehensive website builder platform. Unlike standalone builders, Elementor often signals an ecosystem approach. The site might be utilizing Elementor AI for content generation or Angie for workflow automation. It implies a level of sophistication where the creator wants the ease of a visual editor but demands the scalability of WordPress.

https://elementor.com/products/ai https://elementor.com/solutions/ai-website-builder

Furthermore, if the site loads exceptionally fast despite rich visuals, checking the hosting provider via BuiltWith might reveal they are using Elementor Hosting. This managed hosting solution is optimized specifically for the builder, offering Google Cloud infrastructure and Cloudflare enterprise CDN, which explains the performance.

Elementor Hosting for eCommerce

Identifying Shopify

Shopify is the dominant force in hosted eCommerce. How to spot it:

  • URL Structure: Product pages almost always follow the structure /products/product-name and collections follow /collections/collection-name.
  • Source Code: Look for Shopify.theme in the JavaScript variables defined in the head.
  • Checkout: Unless on Shopify Plus with a custom domain, the checkout often redirects to checkout.shopify.com.

Identifying Wix

Wix is a closed SaaS (Software as a Service) platform known for its drag-and-drop interface. How to spot it:

  • Source Code: Look for script tags pointing to static.parastorage.com.
  • Classes: Extensive use of cryptic, generated class names that do not carry semantic meaning (e.g., _3k7_t).
  • Meta Tags: Often includes <meta http-equiv=”X-Wix-Renderer-Server-Time” …>.

Identifying Squarespace

Squarespace is popular for its template-driven aesthetic. How to spot it:

  • Source Code: Search for Squarespace.onInitialize.
  • Classes: Look for block names like sqs-block or sqs-layout.
  • File Paths: Images served from images.squarespace-cdn.com.

Identifying Webflow

Webflow targets designers who want to export clean code. How to spot it:

  • HTML Attribute: Look for the data-wf-site attribute on the <html> tag.
  • Classes: While Webflow allows custom classes, you often see a utility-class structure unique to their export settings.
  • Source Code: A comment explicitly stating <!– This site was created in Webflow. http://www.webflow.com –>.

The Strategic Advantage of the “Platform” Approach

When you identify that a website uses a specific builder, you are uncovering the philosophy of the business.

If you see a site built on a closed SaaS platform, the owner likely prioritized an all-in-one, “walled garden” approach. They trade flexibility for convenience. However, they might face limitations if they need to scale or add complex custom functionality later.

Conversely, finding a site built on WordPress with Elementor Pro signals a different strategy. It suggests the owner wants ownership of their data and the freedom to extend functionality limitlessly. This “best of both worlds” approach—combining the visual ease of a SaaS builder with the power of open-source—is a hallmark of modern, professional web creation.

Pro

You might also spot specialized tools that indicate a high-growth mindset. For example, if you detect Send by Elementor in the tech stack, you know the business is integrating their marketing automation directly into their web infrastructure. This allows them to capture leads and trigger emails seamlessly, a strategy that reduces tech bloat and improves reliability.

https://elementor.com/products/site-mailer https://send2.co

Similarly, spotting Ally by Elementor in the source code shows the brand takes accessibility and compliance seriously, mitigating legal risk and expanding their audience reach.

Ally Web Accessibility

Limitations and Challenges in Identification

While the methods above work for 90% of websites, there are scenarios where identifying the builder is difficult.

Headless CMS

In a “headless” architecture, the frontend (what you see) is decoupled from the backend (where content is stored). A site might manage content in WordPress but display it using a JavaScript framework like React or Next.js. In this case, you won’t see standard WordPress themes or directory structures. You might identify the frontend framework (React), but the CMS remains hidden.

Static Site Generators

Sites built with tools like Gatsby or Hugo generate static HTML files. These are extremely fast and secure but leave very few fingerprints regarding the original CMS or builder used to manage the content.

Custom Masking

Security-conscious developers sometimes “harden” WordPress sites by rewriting file paths (e.g., changing /wp-content/ to /assets/) and removing generator tags. This is often done to obscure the tech stack from automated bots looking for vulnerabilities. In these cases, you have to rely on deeper forensic analysis, such as identifying specific JavaScript variable names or cookie structures that plugins cannot easily hide.

Video Resources for Web Creators

For those looking to deepen their understanding of web creation tools and the ecosystem discussed, the following video resources provide excellent visual tutorials and insights.

Conclusion

Knowing how to see what website builder was used transforms the web from a collection of pages into a library of blueprints. It empowers you to verify claims, estimate budgets, and choose the right tools for your own projects. Whether you are conducting competitive analysis or simply satisfying your curiosity, the ability to peer behind the curtain is a fundamental skill in the digital age.

We have moved beyond the era where websites were simply “coded” or “built.” Today, they are assembled using sophisticated platforms that integrate design, marketing, and performance. Recognizing a site built with a comprehensive ecosystem like Elementor—complete with Elementor AI for creativity and Elementor Hosting for speed—helps you understand what a state-of-the-art web presence looks like.

AI Site Planner

Next time you browse, take a moment to peek under the hood. The code tells a story of strategy, investment, and ambition. By reading that story, you become a smarter, more capable web creator.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it illegal to view the source code of a website? No, it is absolutely not illegal. The source code (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) is sent to your browser by the server so that your computer can render the page. Viewing it is standard practice for learning and analysis. You are simply looking at the instructions the server gave your browser. However, copying that code to duplicate the site’s design or functionality without permission can be a copyright violation.

2. Can I hide which website builder I am using? Yes, to an extent. You can remove <meta name=”generator”> tags and use security plugins to rewrite common file paths (like changing /wp-content/ to /media/). However, it is nearly impossible to completely hide all traces. Sophisticated tools can still analyze HTTP headers, cookie names, and unique JavaScript patterns to identify the underlying technology. Total anonymity is rare in the web world.

3. Why do some sites show “WordPress” but look nothing like a blog? WordPress has evolved from a simple blogging tool into a full-featured Content Management System (CMS) and application framework. With tools like the Elementor Website Builder, creators can build any type of site—from eCommerce stores to corporate portfolios—that looks completely custom. The underlying engine is WordPress, but the visual layer is entirely unique, breaking the traditional “blog” mold.

4. What does it mean if BuiltWith shows multiple CMSs? This is common for larger organizations. A company might use Shopify for their main store (e.g., shop.brand.com) but use WordPress for their blog (e.g., brand.com/blog) to leverage better content management features. They might also use a separate landing page builder for marketing campaigns. BuiltWith detects all these technologies across the domain, resulting in a report that lists multiple platforms.

5. How can I tell if a site is using a custom theme or a pre-made one? Check the source code for the stylesheet link (usually style.css). In the file path or the header of that CSS file, you will often see the theme name. If the name is generic like “Hello Elementor,” they are likely using a base theme and building the design visually. If the theme name matches the brand name (e.g., “NikeTheme”), it is likely a custom child theme or a fully custom build.

6. Does the hosting provider affect which builder I can use? Yes. SaaS builders like Wix and Squarespace include hosting; you cannot host them elsewhere. Open-source builders like WordPress require you to purchase hosting. However, the quality of hosting matters. Using Elementor Hosting ensures the server environment is specifically tuned for the Elementor builder, providing better speeds than generic shared hosting.

7. Can I switch website builders later? You can, but it is rarely a simple “switch.” Moving from Wix to WordPress, for example, often involves rebuilding the site design from scratch and manually migrating content, as the underlying architectures are incompatible. This is why choosing a flexible, scalable platform like Elementor from the start is recommended—it grows with you, minimizing the need to switch platforms as your business scales.

8. What is the difference between a CMS and a Website Builder? A CMS (like WordPress) is a system for managing content (text, images, data). A Website Builder (like Elementor) is a tool for designing the visual layout and appearance of that content. Today, the lines are blurring. Elementor, for instance, acts as a “Website Builder Platform” that sits on top of the CMS, handling both design and many content management aspects, effectively merging the two categories.

9. How do I know if a site is using AI to generate content? It is difficult to know for sure, but there are signs. If you identify a site uses Elementor AI or similar tools in their tech stack, they likely utilize AI for copy, images, or code. Additionally, very uniform product descriptions or generic stock-like images that cannot be found on reverse image search engines might indicate AI generation.

10. Is there a “best” website builder? “Best” is subjective, but “most comprehensive” is measurable. A platform that offers design freedom, ownership of data, and an integrated ecosystem (hosting, marketing, AI) generally offers the best long-term value. This is why many professionals prefer the open ecosystem of WordPress combined with the visual power of Elementor over closed, proprietary systems that restrict what you can build and own.