Beyond a status code
Look for blank-page detection, broken-resource checks, JavaScript error capture, and API-call visibility — not just HTTP 200.
Choosing an Uptime Monitoring Tool
An uptime monitoring tool should tell you more than whether the server replied. NorthDuty is an uptime monitoring tool that checks HTTP status, SSL, DNS, redirects, and response timing — and, in the same check, whether the page actually rendered, the scripts ran, and the APIs it depends on returned successfully.
What to look for in an uptime tool — and where simple ping checks fall short.
What separates a basic checker from a real monitoring tool
Plenty of tools will ping a URL and tell you if it returned a 200. That is a useful baseline, but it misses the failures that keep a page online yet broken: a blank render, a JavaScript error, a failed API call, or an expired certificate around the corner.
NorthDuty runs a single check every 5 minutes by default (1, 5, and 15 minute cadences are supported) that returns HTTP status, SSL validity and expiry, DNS resolution, redirect chain, blank-page detection, broken resources, JavaScript errors, and first-party API call results — then scores it into one composite health score.
What to look for in an uptime monitoring tool
Use this as a checklist when comparing tools.
Certificate and domain safety
SSL validity and expiry plus domain-expiry alerts so the site does not go dark for an avoidable reason.
Configurable cadence
NorthDuty checks every 5 minutes by default, with 1, 5, and 15 minute schedules supported per project.
Alerting that fits your team
Threshold-based alert rules routed to email, Slack, Teams, Discord, webhooks, Telegram, WhatsApp, or SMS.
Why NorthDuty works as your uptime monitoring tool
It starts as soon as you add a base URL and grows with you.
- One check covers HTTP, SSL, DNS, rendering, resources, JS errors, and APIs
- Composite health score across seven dimensions in a single pass
- Configurable 1, 5, or 15 minute cadence per project
- Visual change detection and user journeys available in the same tool
- A free plan to start, with paid plans from $29/mo as you scale
How to evaluate NorthDuty as an uptime tool
You can be monitoring in minutes.
1
Add your base URL
Uptime and website health monitoring start automatically on the project.
2
Set your cadence
Choose a 1, 5, or 15 minute check interval per project.
3
Configure alert rules
Set thresholds for health score, response time, and SSL expiry, and route them to your channels.
4
Expand beyond uptime
Turn on screenshot change detection and user journeys when you are ready.
Related NorthDuty Pages
Explore pricing, feature details, solution pages, and related tools connected to this website monitoring use case.
Pricing
Pricing
NorthDuty pricing for website monitoring: a free plan through $29/mo Starter, Pro, and Business — covering uptime, visual change detection, and user journeys.
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Features
Explore NorthDuty features: website health checks every 5 minutes, screenshot-based visual change detection, and AI-suggested user journey monitoring in one project.
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Solutions
Explore NorthDuty solutions for ecommerce website monitoring, SaaS website monitoring, agency website monitoring, and startup website monitoring.
Browse SolutionsFeature
Uptime Monitoring
Monitor uptime every 5 minutes by default with HTTP, SSL, DNS, blank-page detection, broken resources, JavaScript errors, and API call tracking.
Explore Uptime MonitoringFeature
Website Monitoring Tool
NorthDuty is an all-in-one website monitoring tool: uptime and health checks, visual change detection, and user journey monitoring in a single project.
Explore Website Monitoring ToolFeature
SSL Certificate Monitoring
Monitor SSL certificates with NorthDuty website health checks so validity, trust, and expiry issues are visible before visitors are blocked.
Explore SSL Certificate MonitoringFeature
Alerting
Send NorthDuty alerts to email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Google Chat, custom webhooks, Telegram, WhatsApp, and SMS. Route every website health signal to the channels your team already uses.
Explore AlertingFrequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about this monitoring feature and when teams should use it.
What should an uptime monitoring tool check?
At minimum HTTP availability and response time, but ideally SSL, DNS, rendering, broken resources, JavaScript errors, and API calls — because a page can be online yet broken. NorthDuty checks all of these in one pass.
How often does NorthDuty check uptime?
Every 5 minutes by default, with 1, 5, and 15 minute cadences supported per project.
Is there a free uptime monitoring plan?
Yes. NorthDuty has a free plan, with paid plans starting at $29/mo for teams that need more coverage.
Call To Action
Start monitoring your website with NorthDuty today.
Try NorthDuty as your uptime monitoring tool — one check covers availability, certificates, rendering, and the APIs your pages depend on.
Start on the free plan — add your base URL and monitoring starts in minutes.