Ecommerce Platform Detective: How to Tell What Ecommerce Platform a Site Is Using

You find yourself drawn to a competitor’s sleek online store, wondering, “What platform are they using?” This question might pop into your head more often than you realize. Knowing how to determine an ecommerce platform can give you an edge. Thankfully, the process isn’t as mysterious as you might think. SEO Locale offers ecommerce SEO services, so if you are looking at other websites for what ecommerce platforms they may be on, you may want to look into SEO services that could help your own business.

Why Unmasking the Ecommerce Platform Matters

Identifying ecommerce platforms is a game-changer. It provides competitive intelligence, allowing you to analyze competitors and their technological choices. This understanding offers valuable insights for refining your ecommerce strategies.

It also helps assess platform security and reliability, ensuring a safe shopping experience. For instance, SAAS platforms often handle security, reducing the burden on store owners. Learning how to tell what ecommerce platform a site uses empowers you with otherwise hidden information.

Telltale Signs and Sneaky Tricks

Some ecommerce websites like to keep their chosen platform hidden, while others proudly display it. Uncovering this information may require some digital detective work.

Digging into the Code: View Page Source

Think back to computer science class. Right-clicking on a web page and selecting “View Page Source” might sound technical, but it’s straightforward. Search for familiar names like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce within the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. You might need to use “Ctrl+F” to find them.

URL Structures: A Breadcrumb Trail

Ever notice how the address bar sometimes hints at a website’s content? The same applies to ecommerce platforms. Watch for telltale patterns in URLs. For example, seeing “/shop” or “/cart” can indicate an ecommerce platform, but don’t rely on this solely. Some platforms allow extensive URL customization.

Favicons and Footers: Tiny Clues, Big Reveals

Favicons, those tiny icons in browser tabs, can hold secrets. Some platforms incorporate their logo directly into the favicon. Also, scroll to the bottom of a webpage; the footer might mention the platform powering the site.

Tools of the Trade: Browser Extensions and More

You don’t have to rely on manual sleuthing. Let’s explore powerful tools for learning how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.

Wappalyzer: Your Ecommerce Detective in a Browser Extension

Wappalyzer will change how you browse the web. Available for Chrome and Firefox, this extension acts like an x-ray for websites. With one click, Wappalyzer reveals the site’s underlying technology—the ecommerce platform, content management system (like WordPress), web server, and even analytics tools. If you value speed and ease, this tool is your new best friend.

BuiltWith: Unmasking the Technology Behind Websites

Ever wanted to see the technology behind massive websites? That’s where BuiltWith excels. By entering a site’s URL into their search bar, BuiltWith generates a comprehensive report that’s both fascinating and informative. Since BuiltWith can be quite telling, it’s a valuable resource for understanding how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.

Shopify App and Theme Detector: Zeroing in on Shopify Stores

While Wappalyzer and BuiltWith cover a wide range of platforms, Fera.ai’s Chrome extension has a laser focus. This tool not only identifies Shopify sites but also reveals their theme. This is particularly useful for uncovering online shops utilizing a customizable Shopify theme.

Netcraft: Delving into the Server Details

Exploring a website’s server-side can provide crucial answers. Netcraft, an online tool known for network exploration, can shed light on server information, often hinting at the ecommerce platform. Just enter the URL into Netcraft and let it work its magic.

InterNIC: Unraveling Domain Name Details

Let’s get technical with InterNIC, a helpful tool for those curious about how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using. While mainly used for domain name registration, InterNIC also reveals registration details like nameservers. These details can sometimes indicate specific hosting providers, often associated with certain ecommerce platforms.

Inspect Element: Going Deep into the Code

Right-clicking and choosing “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” in your web browser opens a window to the website’s code (HTML, CSS, Javascript). This method is more time-consuming than using previous tools, but it helps pinpoint clues like class names, IDs, and Javascript file references.

You might find a platform’s signature directly in the code, especially if the store uses a template from an ecommerce platform. You don’t need coding experience to get started; basic knowledge goes a long way.

Putting It All Together

Imagine discovering the perfect ecommerce platform, one you hadn’t even considered. Remember, a site could be using a blend of technologies. If you don’t find obvious signs of a specific platform after your investigation, the site might use a custom solution or be intentionally obscuring its platform information.

This journey into uncovering the secret lives of websites doesn’t stop here. You can deepen your understanding through platforms designed to keep you informed, like W3techs. They compile data on web technologies, providing a bird’s-eye view of trends and platform popularity.

As of March 2019, statistics showed WooCommerce Checkout in the lead, with Shopify rapidly gaining ground. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll master the art of how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.

Navigating online stores and understanding how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using is like being a detective. There’s a world of knowledge to uncover. With practice, you’ll confidently decipher the digital breadcrumbs and become a true ecommerce detective.