If you work with online stores, you already know this problem.
A client sends a site link and asks, “Is this Shopify or not?” Or you see a competitor store doing well, and you want to know what platform they use.
This is where Shopify’s ecommerce platform identification methods come in.
I have faced this many times while working on SEO, audits, and Shopify development projects. And trust me, most store owners struggle with this more than they admit.
Also Read: https://softpulseinfotech.com/blogs/e-commerce-websites-in-india/
Why Shopify Ecommerce Platform Identification Methods Matter
Let me say it straight. You can’t plan SEO, ads, or development work if you don’t even know the platform.
When a website runs on Shopify:
- The URL structure is different
- Apps control many features
- Checkout is locked
- Speed and SEO limits are fixed in some areas
If you miss this, you waste time. I’ve seen agencies suggest WordPress plugins for Shopify sites, which is a big mistake.
That’s why Shopify’s ecommerce platform identification methods are not just tech stuff. They are basic business checks.
Method 1: Check the Page Source (Most Used Way)
The method I personally recommended. Before any tool. Before any guessing. This alone solves most cases. Page source is like the footprints a platform leaves behind. Shopify leaves very clear ones.
How to check the page source (step-by-step)
- Open the website in your browser
- Right-click anywhere on the page
- Click “View Page Source”
- Press Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac)
- Search for these words one by one:
- Shopify
- cdn.shopify.com
- shopify-section
- shopify.theme
- ShopifyAnalytics
If you see cdn.shopify.com, that’s a strong signal. That CDN is used for Shopify themes, scripts, and assets. Most non-Shopify platforms don’t use it.
What you usually see in the Shopify page source
On real Shopify stores, I often find:
- Theme files loaded from cdn.shopify.com
- JavaScript files with Shopify in the name
- Section IDs like shopify-section-header
- JSON data blocks used by Shopify themes
These are not random. They are part of Shopify’s core setup. Even when a store hides branding, the source code rarely lies.
When this method may not work perfectly
There are a few rare cases:
- Headless Shopify builds
- Heavy custom frontend frameworks
- CDN masking by advanced setups
Even then, you often still see Shopify scripts somewhere in the code. If not, combine this with checkout inspection or URL checks.
Method 2: Look at the URL Structure
Shopify follows a clean and fixed URL structure. Most store owners don’t change it much because Shopify controls the base setup.
Common Shopify URLs:
- /collections/ for category pages
- /products/ for product pages
- /cart for the shopping cart
- /checkouts/ during checkout
- /blogs/ for blog content
- /policies/ for legal pages like privacy policy or refunds
Other platforms don’t use this same setup.If the blog URL is like /blogs/news, that’s also Shopify style. This method is quick and good for beginners.
This method works well because:
- URLs are visible to everyone
- No tools are needed
- You can check it in seconds
- It works even if the source code is blocked
It’s not 100% proof on its own, but when you combine URL patterns with page source checks, the answer becomes very clear.
Method 3: Inspect the Checkout Page
This is one of the strongest Shopify ecommerce platform identification methods, and honestly, one of the easiest to confirm.
The checkout is where Shopify shows its true shape. Themes can change. Branding can hide things. Checkout stays mostly the same.
How to inspect the checkout
- Open the store
- Add any product to the cart
- Click Checkout
- Watch the URL and page layout carefully
Shopify checkout follows a fixed flow. Even when colors and logos change, the structure does not.
Signs that tell you it’s Shopify checkout
Here’s what I usually notice right away:
- URL contains /checkouts/
- Clean, simple layout with step-by-step flow
- Email → Shipping → Payment structure
- Same spacing and form style across stores
Many Shopify stores also show:
- Express checkout buttons (Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Minimal distractions
- No heavy customization on form fields
Once you’ve seen a few Shopify checkouts, it becomes very easy to recognize.
Shopify Development, Services, Platform, and Website
Shopify Development is not just theme work. It’s about knowing Shopify limits and using them smartly, not fighting them.
Once you correctly identify a site as Shopify, many things become clear right away.
- You know, checkout can’t be fully edited.
- You know apps drive most features.
- You know speed tuning is all about theme quality and app balance.
This single understanding changes how you plan SEO, CRO, and even ads. That’s why platform identification is always step one in Shopify Development work.
Shopify Development Services depend heavily on platform rules. Wrong platform means wrong advice, wasted hours, and sometimes full rebuilds that were never needed.
Updates Related to Shopify Identification
In the last couple of years, Shopify has changed how stores are built under the hood.
Many stores have now moved to:
- Checkout Extensibility
- Customer Events
- App-based tracking instead of custom scripts
Because of this, Shopify code looks cleaner and more locked down than before. A lot of old tracking scripts and custom code blocks are gone. That’s good for security and stability, but it does confuse beginners.
Earlier, you could spot Shopify just by looking for messy scripts in the checkout or theme files. That’s not always the case now.
Final Words
If you work with ecommerce, you must learn the Shopify ecommerce platform identification methods. It saves time. It avoids wrong work. It helps SEO. This is not a theory. This comes from real audits and real client calls.
If you need help with Shopify Development, Shopify Website work, or full Shopify Ecommerce development, Softpulse Infotech offers Shopify development services with experienced Shopify experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify which ecommerce platform a website is using?
Check page source, URLs, checkout flow, and use tools like BuiltWith. For Shopify, cdn.shopify.com is the biggest sign.
How to tell if a store uses Shopify?
Look for /collections/, /products/, Shopify-style checkout, and Shopify app scripts.
What is Shopify’s ecommerce platform?
Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform that lets businesses sell online using themes, apps, and built-in checkout.
How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
It depends on the plan and payment gateway. On basic plans, fees usually range from 2% to 2.9% + a small fixed fee.
