How to Identify the Platform Behind a Website: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and More

In today's digital age, numerous content management systems (CMS) and website builders make creating and managing websites easier than ever. If you've ever wondered how to determine which CMS or website builder was used to build a particular website, you're not alone. Whether you're a web developer, a curious user, or a competitor researching the market, knowing the platform behind a site can provide valuable insights.

1. Look at the Source Code

One of the simplest ways to determine a website's CMS is by examining its source code. Here’s how you can do it:

• WordPress: Search for common WordPress indicators like wp-content, wp-admin, or wp-includes. You might also find references to WordPress-specific themes or plugins in the HTML source code.
• Joomla: Check for directories such as Joomla, or look for index.php in the URL path. Joomla also often leaves traces in the page's source code, like meta tags with Joomla-related information.
• Drupal: Look for sites/default or Drupal in the source code. Drupal's admin interface often leaves clues in the page's structure and URL paths.
• Blogger: Blogger sites often have a distinctive URL pattern with /blogspot.com/ and may include elements like b:widget in the page source.

2. Use Online Tools

Several online tools can identify the CMS or website builder used:

• BuiltWith: This tool provides detailed information about a website’s technology stack, including CMS, server information, and analytics tools.
• Wappalyzer: This browser extension detects CMSs, e-commerce platforms, web servers, and other technologies used on a website.
• WhatCMS: This site identifies CMS platforms and provides detailed insights into the technology behind a website.

3. Check for Common CMS Features

Different CMS platforms have unique features:

• WordPress: Look for themes and plugins that are specific to WordPress. The WordPress admin bar is also a giveaway if you're logged in as an admin.
• Joomla: Joomla sites often have a distinctive admin URL (e.g., yoursite.com/administrator) and include elements like com_ in URLs.
• Drupal: Drupal’s administrative menus and URL structures are unique, often including paths like user/login or node/add.
• Blogger: Blogger sites frequently feature default themes and widgets that are specific to Blogger’s platform.

4. Analyze the Website’s Design and Structure

Some CMS platforms have recognizable design patterns:

• WordPress: WordPress themes can be customized, but many sites still retain common design elements and structures.
• Joomla: Joomla’s default templates often have a distinct layout and style that may be recognizable.
• Drupal: Drupal sites can have complex, customizable structures and often use specific modules that might reveal its platform.
• Blogger: Blogger templates usually have a standard layout and widget configuration.

5. Look at the URL Structure

The structure of URLs can also be a clue:

• WordPress: WordPress sites often have clean URLs, with permalinks that can include post titles.
• Joomla: Joomla URLs might include index.php or other Joomla-specific patterns.
• Drupal: Drupal URLs might include node IDs or paths like /node/123.
• Blogger: Blogger URLs frequently contain blogspot.com in the domain.

Conclusion

Identifying the CMS or website builder behind a site can provide useful insights, whether you're researching for competitive analysis or simply satisfying your curiosity. By examining source code, using online tools, and analyzing design and URL patterns, you can often determine the platform used. Each CMS has its own unique characteristics, making it possible to pinpoint the technology behind a website with a bit of investigation.

For more tips and insights on technology and web development, stay tuned to our blog!