Broken links are the dead ends of a website. They are directing people to non-existent pages. However, broken links are annoying for visitors and can impact the website search results. This comprehensive guide will delve into broken links, how they impact your website, and, most importantly, how to identify, fix, and prevent them.
Understanding Broken Links
A broken link is essentially a hyperlink that directs to a no longer existing page. This situation may occur for several reasons: this page has been deleted or moved, or the web address needs to be corrected. You can divide the broken links into the following two types:
404 Errors:
The most popular form of a broken link, 404 Errors, tells the user they cannot access the page.Redirects:
While not broken in the strictest sense, Redirects, that loop infinitely or lead to irrelevant pages can be just as frustrating for users and harmful to your website.
The Negative Impact of Broken Links
Broken links might seem minor, but their consequences can be far-reaching.
Poor User Experience:
When users encounter broken links, they feel unwelcome and abandoned. Consequently, this can cause higher bounce rates and adversely impact your brand.SEO Implications:
Broken links can impact crawlability, which affects rankings in search engines.Damaged Reputation:
A site with broken links can give visitors the impression that your website and you need to be more careful and professional.
Identifying Broken Links
Checking each link available on your website manually is really tough work. Thankfully, there are many good ways to find and fix broken links.
Manual Methods:
Clicking through links:
While tedious, manually clicking through links can be helpful for small websites or specific sections.Browser Developer Tools:
Most modern web browsers provide developer tools for inspecting the status of an individual link.
Automated Solutions:
For large websites, automated broken link checkers are vital tools. These tools scan your website entirely and keep you updated with reports of broken links. Some popular options include:
Online Tools:
There are numerous free and paid versions of online tools with varying features, functionality, and accuracy.Desktop Applications:
Dedicated software for desktop applications and advanced scanning/analysis options.Website Plugins:
If you use a CMS like WordPress, there are plugins for checking broken links.
Here are some things to look for in a broken link checker:
Internal and External Link Scanning:
The tool must scan internal and external links.Error Code Detection:
Identify error codes such as 404s, redirects, and server errors.Reporting and Filtering Options:
Detailed reports and the power to isolate results by URL, link type, or error code are must-haves.CMS Integration:
The CMS you use on your website can help the content improvement workflow.
Fixing Broken Links: The Cleanup Crew
Now that you have found the broken links on your website, it's time to act on them.
Prioritization: Prioritize fixing links on high-traffic pages and those pointing to valuable content.
Repair Techniques:
Update Links:
If the target page has moved, update the link with the new URL.Remove Broken Links:
Remove the link if the content is no longer available.Redirects:
Employ 301 redirects to guide users to an alternative page that still aligns with the topic. This maintains SEO value.
Advanced Techniques:
For more complex situations, consider these advanced techniques:
htaccess Files:
Create custom redirects using htaccess files.Scripting:
Automate link checking and fixing processes using scripts.
Implementing these techniques, along with using the right tools, can help you delete broken links from your website.
Preventing Broken Links: Proactive Website Care
The ideal use case for broken links is to avoid them altogether. It just comes down to maintaining your website and handling links with care.
Link Building Best Practices
Verify Link Destinations:
Before adding a link to your website, make sure the link leads to a valid, live page.Utilize Relative Paths:
With internal links, using relative paths will prevent problems if the structure of your website changes.Link to Reputable Sources:
Building links to high-quality, well-maintained websites reduces the risk of broken links affecting your site.
Regular Website Maintenance
Scheduled Broken Link Checks:
Automate broken link checks using a reliable tool to catch issues early.Content Updates:
Keep updating your website with fresh content so that every page is updated and present.Backlink Monitoring:
Monitor backlinks to your website to identify broken links on other sites.
By implementing these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the number of broken links on your website and maintain a positive user experience.
Advanced Considerations for Experts
Several other advanced topics are available for those who wish to explore the world of broken links in more detail.
Broken Link Checker Comparison:
A detailed analysis of popular broken link checkers can help you select the best tool for your needs. Consider features, pricing, accuracy, and ease of use.Leveraging Broken Links for SEO:
While broken links are generally detrimental, they can also present opportunities. You can create valuable content to fill the gaps and attract backlinks by identifying broken links on competitor websites.Integrating Broken Link Checking into Development Workflows:
Incorporate broken link checks into your development process to catch issues early and prevent them from reaching production.
Conclusion
Broken links are effectively defective directions on a map. They direct people to pages that do not exist on your site. This can annoy people and make it more difficult for search engines to discover and comprehend your website.
Having broken links is like missing out on opportunities to connect with visitors and improve your website's ranking. By finding and fixing these problems, you can create a better experience for people who visit your website and help search engines increase your website's visibility to more people.
Checking for broken links should be a regular part of taking care of your website. A website without broken links is like a well-maintained house (a well-kept home doesn't have a broken front door) - it shows that you care about the details and want to provide a good experience for your visitors.
