Documentation
Welcome to the Nodesail Lighthouse knowledge base. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of our technical audit modules, explaining exactly what we measure, how we collect the data, and why these metrics are vital to the success of your online business.
Hosting & Infrastructure
Every website requires physical hardware to operate. Our infrastructure module identifies the physical location, network provider (ISP), and the organizational entity hosting your website. We achieve this by performing deep IP geolocation lookups and mapping Autonomous System Numbers (ASN).
Why it matters: Knowing your server's geographical location is crucial. If your primary audience is in London, but your server is located in Tokyo, your users will experience significant network latency (lag). By auditing your infrastructure, you can determine if you need to migrate to a different data center or implement a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to bring your website physically closer to your visitors.
- Pinpoint exact data center locations
- Identify your primary ISP/Network
- Analyze network routing and ASN
- Detect hidden infrastructure setups
Speed & Performance
Speed is no longer a luxury; it is a fundamental requirement. We integrate directly with Google's PageSpeed Insights engine to analyze your website using real-world performance metrics known as Core Web Vitals. This test mimics how a real mobile or desktop user experiences your site on a standard network connection.
Why it matters: Search engines like Google actively penalize slow websites in their search rankings. More importantly, slow load times dramatically increase user bounce rates. If a user has to wait more than 3 seconds for your site to load, they are likely to leave and visit a competitor.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
Measures loading performance. A good LCP ensures the main content of the page is visible quickly.
Total Blocking Time (TBT)
Measures interactivity. A low TBT means the page responds quickly when the user clicks or scrolls.
Technology Stack
Modern websites are built using dozens of interconnected technologies. Our detection engine scans HTTP headers, source code patterns, and meta tags to accurately fingerprint the Content Management System (CMS), frameworks, and programming languages powering your website.
Why it matters: Running outdated software is the number one cause of website security breaches. By identifying your exact stack (e.g., WordPress, Shopify, Next.js, specific PHP versions), you can verify that your web agency or developer has built your site using modern, secure, and easily maintainable technologies.
Our engine currently supports the detection of over 1,000+ unique web platforms, including major eCommerce engines, Javascript frameworks, and legacy systems.
Global DNS Records
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-readable domain names (like nodesail.com) into computer-readable IP addresses. We perform a live query against global authoritative servers to retrieve your domain's critical routing records.
Why it matters: Incorrect DNS settings can completely take your website offline or prevent you from receiving emails. By auditing your DNS records, you ensure that your domain is pointing to the correct server (A Records), that your business emails are being routed properly (MX Records), and that your domain ownership is securely verified (TXT Records).