Curious about the designer behind a website? Whether you’re inspired by a site’s aesthetics, need help with your own project, or simply want to learn more about design professionals, finding out who created a website can be straightforward. While there isn’t always a clear answer, several techniques can help you uncover the designer or design agency behind a site.
1. Check the Website’s Footer
One of the easiest places to start is the website’s footer. Many designers or agencies leave a small credit or copyright notice here. You might see a phrase like “Designed by XYZ Agency” or “Website by [Designer’s Name].” This is especially common on sites created by design agencies that want to showcase their work.
Tip: Look for phrases like “Designed by” or “Powered by” to spot potential designer credits.
2. Look at the “About” or “Contact” Page
Some websites list the designer or agency in the “About” or “Contact” sections. Companies often acknowledge the contributors to their online presence, particularly if the designer played a significant role. While this information isn’t always available, it’s worth a quick check.
3. Search the Site’s Source Code
If you don’t find any credits on the site itself, diving into the source code can be revealing. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on the page and select “View Page Source” (or press
Ctrl + Uon most browsers). - Once in the code, look for comments that might reference the designer, agency, or design platform.
- Search for keywords like “author,” “designer,” “agency,” or even specific tags that some developers might leave.
While this method requires some technical insight, you don’t need to be an expert—just scan for relevant keywords.
4. Use BuiltWith or Similar Tools
BuiltWith is a popular online tool that reveals a website’s backend technology, which can sometimes include insights about the design or development agency. While it primarily identifies technologies, like CMS platforms and plugins, BuiltWith occasionally lists design-related services that may lead you to the designer.
- Visit BuiltWith.com and enter the website URL.
- Look through the results for any hints, especially under web hosting, CMS platforms, and analytics sections.
Other Tools to Try:
- Wappalyzer: A browser extension that shows site technologies.
- Netcraft: A website profiler that can offer some design insights.
5. Reverse Image Search Key Visuals
If a website’s design elements (such as graphics or logos) seem custom-made, a reverse image search can sometimes lead you to the designer. Here’s how to do it:
- Take a screenshot of a unique image or icon from the site.
- Go to Google Images and click on the camera icon to upload your screenshot.
- See if any results link back to a designer’s portfolio or similar site where the image was originally posted.
This method isn’t foolproof but can sometimes uncover the original source of unique visual assets on the site.
6. Look Up the Domain’s WHOIS Information
WHOIS is a public database that provides information on who registered a website’s domain. While this doesn’t always lead directly to the designer, it can point you to the website owner, who may, in turn, reveal the designer’s identity.
- Visit a WHOIS lookup tool like whois.net.
- Enter the website’s domain to access registration details.
- Contact the registered owner for more information if you feel it’s appropriate.
Note: WHOIS information can sometimes be private or hidden by the registrar, so this method doesn’t always yield results.
7. Browse Design Portfolios on Sites like Dribbble or Behance
Many web designers showcase their projects on portfolio platforms like Dribbble and Behance. If you’re looking for a website with a unique or visually striking design, try searching these platforms.
How to Search on Dribbble or Behance:
- Type the name of the website or company into the search bar.
- Filter results by “Projects” or “People” to locate specific designers.
- Sometimes, searching by industry or style can reveal designers with similar work, if not the exact website in question.
If the designer isn’t listed, you might find similar work or even reach out to creators with similar design aesthetics.
8. Check Social Media
Designers often share their work on social media. You can try searching platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to find posts related to the website you’re interested in. Use hashtags like #webdesign, #uxdesign, or the name of the business to locate designers who may have shared their work.
Pro Tip: Try visiting the website’s own social media pages. Sometimes, businesses will tag their designers or thank them publicly on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn.
9. Ask Directly Through Contact Forms
If you’re genuinely interested in a website’s design and can’t find information elsewhere, reach out directly. Use the site’s contact form or email to inquire about who designed the site. Be polite and professional; website owners are often happy to credit their designers.
10. Examine the CMS or Theme for Hints
If the website uses a common CMS like WordPress, the theme might reveal the designer. Often, WordPress themes include a small credit or “designed by” mention in the source code or even at the bottom of the site itself.
- WordPress: Right-click on the page, select “View Page Source,” and look for mentions of a theme name or designer.
- Shopify or Squarespace: These platforms also sometimes retain designer credits.
Tip: Searching the theme name online may lead you to the theme’s creator or the agency that developed the website.
Conclusion
Finding out who designed a website can be a bit of a detective journey, but with these methods, you can often uncover the creative mind behind an inspiring design. From checking the footer to exploring the source code, many avenues can reveal valuable information about a website’s designer or design agency. Whether you’re motivated by admiration, a potential business partnership, or just plain curiosity, these techniques provide a comprehensive approach to discovering website designers.
While you may not always find a definitive answer, combining multiple strategies will often lead you closer to identifying the talent behind a website’s design.
