How to Find What eCommerce Platform a Website Uses

Jumping into the competitive eCommerce industry requires an understanding of how the competition operates. This includes figuring out what platforms your competitors are using. Fortunately, there are tools and tricks available to help you gain a thorough understanding of how an online store is constructed.

Access the Source Code

This is very simple for people with a little coding knowledge, but anyone can do it. Select 'Inspect Element' from the context menu of your browser. The source code's file extensions and URLs can reveal the platform on which the website is built. 

For example, if you search the code for wp-content, you'll know the website was built with WordPress. Similarly, if you come across the domain Shopify.theme, it was created using Shopify.

Get a Website-Profiling Browser Extension

If you don't want to deal with code, Wappalyzer is a great option that provides a convenient way to find out which platform a site is using. It's a Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browser extension that displays an icon next to the address bar that indicates the platform on which a website is running. With a single click, that and additional information will be displayed in a slick drop-down menu. 

Use a Technology Lookup Website

BuiltWith is a website that can tell you which eCommerce and shopping cart technologies are being used by a store. It also returns a number of other results that describe how the website was created. You can also find out which apps and widgets a store is using for advertising, analyticsThe systematic computational analysis of data or statistics to gain insights and support decision-ma..., and other purposes.

Once you find out which platforms other eCommerce sites are using, you might notice that they all feature the same templates and functions. Using an eCommerce platform is a great idea for business owners who are just starting out. However, veterans could benefit from customizations that these platforms do not allow.

For a fully customized and effective eCommerce website that will boost your eCommerce sales and keep your customers coming back for more, visit Bliss Drive today and check out our web design and development services.