Many of us when browsing a web found a cool website we liked and wonder who designed this website?
Knowing who designed a website can be beneficial for many reasons. Below are only a few of them.
Reasons for Wanting to Identify the Website Designer
Seek Design Services
If you come across a website that impresses you with how it looks and functions, you might want to hire the same designer for your project. Identifying the designer can help you get in touch with them and discuss your requirements.
Understand Design Trends
Knowing the designer can provide insights into current design trends and practices. Designers often have portfolios showcasing their work, which can inspire and inform your own design choices.
Credibility and Trust
A website designed by a reputable professional or agency can add credibility to the site. Understanding who designed the site can help you assess its reliability and quality.
Network and Collaborate Opportunities
Identifying a website designer can open doors for networking and potential collaboration opportunities. Connecting with talented designers can lead to valuable professional relationships and partnerships.
Education & Inspiration Purposes
For students and aspiring web designers, knowing the creators behind exemplary websites can be a learning opportunity. Analyzing their work and approach can provide valuable insights into effective design techniques. By following the designers and agencies they admire, new designers can learn from exerts in the field.
So How Do You Find Out Who Designed a Website?
Methods for Identifying the Website Designer
1. Check the HTML and CSS
Inspect the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to uncover potential designer credits or agency branding.
Check the source code and scour the website’s source code for any credits, signatures, or references to the designer or design agency. Designers often leave subtle hints within the code, such as comments, custom CSS classes, or even their own names.
2. Look for Links or References
Scan the website for any links, citations, or references that may point to the designer or their agency. These could be found in the footer, about page, or even hidden within the code. When designing website development with clients for one of my agencies Happy Website Design and Big Apple Media, I often ask if they would be open to including a small link in the footer to credit the developer. In many cases, clients have no problem with me adding a small link in the footer or another location on the website. This is a widely accepted practice among freelancers and large agencies. This helps spread the word about your agency and something all agencies should consider implementing to increase chances of clients finding them online.
3. Search for the website on design platforms
Beyond examining the website’s code and design, another effective way to uncover the identity of the designer is to scour popular design-focused platforms. These online creative portfolio websites serve as digital showcases for creative professionals, and there’s a good chance the designer of the website you’re investigating has a presence on these platforms.
Some of the most popular platforms include Behance, Dribble, AWWWards, and many others.
These platform’s visual-centric nature makes it an excellent resource for identifying designers based on the website’s aesthetics. Search for the website’s name or domain, and scan through designer portfolios for a visual match. These sites let you filter designers by location, which can be helpful if you have an idea of where the designer might be based.
4. Reach out Directly To Website Owner
After exhausting the previously mentioned options of inspecting the website code and searching design platforms, the next logical step is to reach out directly to the website owner. This approach can provide valuable firsthand information about the designer’s identity and potentially open up opportunities for further collaboration or recognition.
When composing your outreach email or message, strike a delicate balance between curiosity and respect. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in identifying the website designer, and frame your request in a way that demonstrates your appreciation for their work. Avoid coming across as overly demanding or intrusive.
Keep in mind, many business owners tend to be busy, so you might have to wait a few days. And remember to always follow up. In most cases, the owner of the website will be happy to provide the information about the designer.
By approaching the website owner directly with a considerate and professional manner you’ll will likely get the answers you’re looking for on who designed the website for them.
Conclusion
Finding out who designed a website can be a extremely useful for many designers, from hiring a talented designer to understanding current design trends.
By using the methods described in this post you can find out who was the creative person behind the site you like. Some of these strategies include checking the website’s footer, examining source code, using online tools, and reaching out directly to the website owner.
Whether you’re looking to improve your own web web design skills, gain inspiration, or establish professional connections, identifying the designer can provide insights and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.
A well-designed website is not just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality, user experience, and effective communication. Knowing the minds behind these creations can offer a deeper appreciation and understanding of web design excellence.
