Have you ever visited a website and wondered, “Who made this?” It happens all the time.
If you are –
- a business owner looking to revamp your site,
- a designer seeking inspiration, or
- simply someone curious about the creators behind great websites,
knowing who designed a website can be valuable for you.
But finding out who built a website isn't always easy. Sometimes, a website doesn't clearly state who designed it. So, It can be frustrating, especially when you're eager to connect with a talented designer or learn more about their work.
Don't worry!
In this post, we'll show you four simple ways to find out who designed a website. You won't need to be a tech expert. Just follow these easy steps, and you'll have the answer in no time.
Let's get started!
Why You Might Want to Find Out Who Designed a Website
Some websites stand out for their design, functionality, or user experience. Finding out who created them can be valuable for various personal or professional reasons.
Here we have pointed out a few key reasons behind finding out who designed a website:
- Hire the Developer or Agency: If you admire the design or functionality of a website, you may want to work with the same team for your project.
- Verify Credibility: Understanding who built the site can help evaluate their expertise and reputation.
- Professional Networking: Connecting with skilled developers can open opportunities for collaborations or referrals.
- Analyze Competitors: Businesses may want to know which developers or agencies are behind a competitor’s website to assess their choices.
- Learn Best Practices: Aspiring designers and developers may want to learn from successful projects.
- Resolve Technical Issues: In cases of troubleshooting or legal matters, identifying the developer can help address specific concerns.
Now let us guide you on how to find out who designed a website in 4 easy ways!
How to Find Out Who Designed a Website – 4 Easy Ways
Finding out who designed a website can be straightforward if you use the right approaches. Below are 4 easy methods to help you uncover this information:
- Method 01 – Check the Website Itself: Look at the footer, About page, or Contact page for credits or acknowledgments.
- Method 02 – Use Online Tools: Tools like Whois or BuiltWith can reveal domain registration details and the technologies used.
- Method 03 – Inspect the Code: View the source code to find developer comments, meta tags, or file credits.
- Method 04 – Search Online: Use targeted searches or check social media and portfolio platforms for related information.
Now let's get into the details!
Method 01 – Check the Website Itself
The first and simplest way to find out who designed a website is to look at the website itself. Many times, the creator will leave clues right on the site for anyone to find.
You can check a few different places on the site to gather this information.
(a) Footer
Start with the footer, which is the section at the bottom of most websites. The footer is often where you'll find credits or links to the company or developer who built the site. It might say something like:
- Designed by [Developer Name] or
- Website by [Agency Name].
Not every site has this, but it's a great place to start.
(b) About Page
Next, check the About page. This is where websites often talk about their team, mission, and sometimes their partners or developers. If a designer or agency worked on the site, they may mention it here, especially if it's a big project.
You might see a note like “This site was created by [Agency Name] to showcase our work.” It's common for agencies to share their involvement on this page.
(c) Contact Page
The Contact page can also be useful. Some websites list their development team or even include a brief mention of the company that built the site. This is especially true for small businesses or personal websites, where the creator wants to highlight their work.
If you don't find anything in these areas, don't worry! There are other methods to dig deeper and uncover who built the site. Now we will show you that.
Method 02 – Use Online Tools
Another way to find out who designed a website is by using online tools. These tools can give you detailed information about the website's technology, domain registration, and sometimes even the developer.
Let's try to find out who built a website using these online tools:
(a) findcreators.io
The findcreators.io is a dedicated tool for discovering the creators of websites. It’s simple to use. All you need to do is enter the website’s URL, and it will search through available databases to show you who developed the site. This can be a quick way to find the developer or agency behind a website.
(b) Whois Lookup
Whois Lookup is another powerful tool that helps you find details about the website's domain registration. To use it, just search “Whois Lookup” in Google and enter the domain name of the website you're interested in.
The tool will show information about the person or company who registered the domain. Sometimes, this can also include the developer or agency that created the site. Keep in mind that this info is only available if the website owner hasn't hidden it.
(c) BuiltWith
BuiltWith is a tool that provides information about the technology behind a website. It shows what content management system (CMS), frameworks, and plugins are being used.
While it may not directly tell you the website's designer, you can often track down clues about which agency or developer worked with these technologies.
For example, if you see a custom-built CMS or specific plugins, you may be able to connect the dots to the creator.
Method 03 – Inspect the Code
If online tools and the website itself don’t give you clear answers, you can take a closer look by inspecting the website’s code. This method involves diving into the source code of the site to find clues about the developer.
(a) Use humans.txt
The humans.txt file is a simple text file that some websites use to credit the people behind their creation. It's a way to acknowledge the developers, designers, and others who contributed to building the site.
- To find out who designed a website, add /humans.txt to the website's URL
For example, if the website is https://example.com, you would check
https://example.com/humans.txtIf the file exists, it may list the developers or agencies involved in creating the site.
Note: Not all websites have a humans.txt file, so this method might not always provide the information you're seeking.
(b) Check style.css File
The style.css file is a stylesheet used in web development to define the visual appearance of a website. In WordPress themes, this file includes a header with details about the theme, which may mention the developer.
- To locate the style.css file, go to your root directory. This file is typically found in the root directory of the website or within a CSS folder.
- Open the file and look for header information.
- In WordPress themes, the style.css file includes a header with theme details, which may mention the developer.
(c) Check Code
If the previous methods don't yield results, you can inspect the website's source code for hidden information about the developer.
- To check the code, navigate to the website you're interested in.
- Right-click on the page and select ‘View Page Source‘ or ‘Inspect‘ (the exact option may vary depending on your browser).
Now look for these things:
- Meta Tags: Look for meta tags that might contain author information.
- Comments: Developers sometimes leave comments in the code about their work.
- File Names and Paths: Sometimes the file names or paths can include the agency or developer’s name.
Method 04 – Search Online
If you still haven't found who designed a website, searching online is a powerful way to uncover this information. Using search engines, social media, and portfolio platforms can connect you to designers or agencies that created the site.
(a) Use Search Engines
Search engines like Google can provide valuable insights about who designed a website. By using specific keywords and search techniques, you might find articles, press releases, or portfolio pages linked to the designer or agency. Here’s how you can do it:
- Search for “designed by [website name]”: Use quotation marks to get exact matches. For example, type “designed by example.com” into Google.
- Add keywords like “website design” or “developer”: Try phrases such as “[website name] developer” or “[website URL] website design credits.”
- Explore beyond the first page of results: Important details might be hidden further down in the search results. Take some time to browse.
Example Search Query: If you're curious about who created “travelblogger.com,” search for “travelblogger.com designed by” or “travelblogger.com developer portfolio.”
This method works best for websites that credit their creators in external articles, blogs, or case studies.
(b) Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms are treasure troves of information. Many designers and agencies use them to showcase their work which makes it easier to connect the dots. Focus on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Dribbble, and Behance for your search.
- LinkedIn: Search for the website or company name. Look at profiles of employees or agencies to find someone who lists the website as a project. For example, search “[website name] project” or “[website name] developer.”
- Twitter: Use hashtags or the website’s name to find tweets where the design is mentioned. Designers often tweet about their recent projects.
- Dribbble & Behance: These platforms are specifically for designers. Look for case studies, screenshots, or portfolios mentioning the website. Try searching the website’s name or URL.
Pro Tip: If the website has unique design features, use those as keywords in your searches. For instance, search for “minimalist travel blog design” or “custom WordPress design for [website name].”
(c) Explore Design Portfolios
Portfolio websites are excellent resources to find out who designed a website. Designers and agencies often showcase their completed projects on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or their personal websites. These portfolios include detailed case studies or project highlights that can reveal the designer’s identity.
- Go to Behance and search for the website's name or its unique features. For example, type “travelblogger.com” or “minimalist travel blog design” into the search bar.
- Visit Dribbble and search for the website's name, URL, or specific design aspects. Use terms like “travel website design” or “custom WordPress projects” for broader results.
Finally, Ask the Website Owner Directly to Find Out Who Developed His Website!
If all other methods don't give you the answers, the simplest approach is to contact the website owner. Most website owners are open to sharing information about their site, especially if you approach them politely and explain your purpose.
Here's how you can do it:
- Visit the website’s Contact page to find an email address, contact form, or phone number. You can look for sections like “Get in Touch” or “Contact Us.”
- Write a short and clear message. Mention why you're reaching out and explain that you're curious about the designer or developer behind their website.
Here is an example for you:
Hi [Website Owner’s Name],
I came across your website, and I love its design! I'm currently researching website design services and was wondering if you could share who developed your site. I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Pro Tip: Be respectful and patient. Website owners might not reply immediately, but a kind and professional tone can increase your chances of getting a response.
Ready to Find Out Who Developed a Website?
Figuring out who designed a website can be simple with the right methods. You can check the website itself, use online tools, inspect the code, or even ask the website owner directly. Each method offers a chance to find the information you need.
If one method doesn't work, don't worry. Try another approach. Social media, design portfolios, and a quick email to the owner can often help you get the answers you're looking for. Don't be afraid to reach out. Many designers are happy to share their work.
Want to leverage ChatGPT to build your website? We have a step-by-step tutorial to create a website using ChatGPT, check it out to get your job done.
Now if you have any feedback related to this blog post, feel free to share that with us using the comment box below. Happy searching!