Do you know what broken links are? They’re links on your website that don’t work anymore. They can cause problems for your website and how it shows up on search engines like Google. But don’t worry, we’ll show you how to find and fix them!
What Are Broken Links?
Broken links are like paths on a treasure map that lead to nowhere on your website. They can happen for different reasons:
- A page was deleted: Imagine a page getting thrown away.
- A typo in the link: It’s like a spelling mistake in a web address.
- Changes to a page’s web address: Think of it as changing a road’s name without telling anyone.
- When a website gets a makeover: It’s like moving houses and not telling your friends your new address.
Why Fixing Broken Links is Important
For SEO: Search engines like Google use links to find and rank websites. Broken links confuse them and can make your website less visible.
For Users: People who visit your website get frustrated if they click on a link that doesn’t work. It’s like trying to open a locked door.
How to Find Broken Links
- Manual Checking: This means looking at every page one by one. But it’s a lot of work, especially for big websites.
- Online Tools: Google has tools to help. You can use Chrome’s Inspection feature or Google Search Console. Other tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, and Semrush can also help.
- CMS-specific solutions: Some website systems like WordPress and Drupal have tools built-in.
How to Fix Broken Links
- Redirecting Links: This is like giving the link a new address. Use this when a page moves, but make sure the new page is similar to the old one.
- Removing or Replacing Links: If it’s a small problem like a typo, just fix it. If the link is broken because the content is old, replace it with something new or remove it.
Preventing Future Broken Links
- Regular Audits: Check your website regularly to find and fix broken links before they become a big problem.
- Training and Guidelines: Teach the people who work on your website how to make links correctly and update them when needed.
By following these steps, you can keep your website healthy and easy for people to use!