How To Fix Broken Links In a Website

Broken links can be a major issue for website owners and SEO professionals. They disrupt user experience, harm search engine rankings, and can even lead to lost revenue. Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or digital marketer, understanding what is a broken link and how to fix it is crucial. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including how to find broken links of a website, tools for identifying them, and effective solutions to fix them.

H2: What Are Broken Links?

A broken link, also known as a dead link, is a hyperlink that no longer works. This can happen for several reasons, such as:

• The linked page has been moved or deleted. If a webpage has been removed without a proper redirect, any links pointing to it will lead to a 404 error.
• The URL structure has changed without proper redirection. If a website undergoes a structural update, old URLs may become obsolete, resulting in broken links.
• The website is temporarily down or removed. Sometimes, websites may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, hosting issues, or permanent shutdown.
• There are typos in the URL. Simple human errors like misspelling a URL can create a non-functional link.

Broken links can negatively impact SEO by signalling to search engines that your site is poorly maintained. This is why fixing broken links in SEO is a crucial part of website maintenance.

Main Types of Broken Links

There are two primary types of broken links:

1. Internal Broken Links

These are links within your own website that lead to a broken page. If a visitor clicks on an internal link and lands on a 404 error page, it affects user experience and SEO rankings.

• Impact on Navigation: Users may struggle to find the information they need, leading to frustration and high bounce rates.
• Search Engine Penalties: Google and other search engines may lower your rankings if too many internal links lead to non-existent pages.
• Loss of Link Equity: If a previously well-ranking page is now broken, it may lead to a drop in organic traffic.

2. External Broken Links

These occur when your website links to another site that no longer exists or has changed its URL. External broken links reduce the credibility of your website and can impact SEO rankings.

• Reduced Trustworthiness: If visitors encounter broken external links frequently, they may question the reliability of your website.
• SEO Impact: Search engines may perceive excessive external broken links as poor maintenance, affecting rankings.
• User Frustration: Visitors expecting additional resources from external links may feel disappointed when encountering non-functional links.

Why Fixing Broken Links Should Be a Priority in 2025

In 2025, with search engines becoming more advanced, fixing broken links is more critical than ever. Here’s why:

• Improves User Experience—Visitors expect a seamless browsing experience. Broken links can frustrate users, leading to higher bounce rates and decreased engagement.
• Boosts SEO Rankings— Search engines consider broken links as a sign of poor website maintenance. Fixing them enhances your site’s credibility and can improve rankings.
• Enhances Crawlability—Search engine bots rely on functional links to crawl and index your site effectively. Broken links can disrupt indexing and lower visibility in search results.
• Increases Conversions—A well-maintained site with no broken links can improve trust, leading to higher conversion rates as visitors can navigate your site without obstacles.

How to Check Broken Links in a Website

Regularly auditing your site for broken links is essential. Here are some effective ways on how to check broken links in website:

Using Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool that helps website owners identify broken links. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to Google Search Console.
2. Navigate to the “Coverage” report.
3. Look for errors related to 404 pages.
4. Click on the error to see the list of broken links and fix them accordingly.

Using Semrush

Semrush is another powerful tool to find broken links of a website. Here’s how to use it:

1. Sign in to Semrush and open the “Site Audit” tool.
2. Enter your website URL and start the audit.
3. After the scan, check the “Issues” report for broken links.
4. Review the links and take necessary action to fix them.

How to Fix Broken Links?

Once you’ve identified broken links, the next step is how do you fix broken links?. Here are some effective methods:

1. Redirect the Broken URL

If a page has been moved or deleted, use a 301 redirect to point it to a relevant page. This ensures users and search engines find the right content while preserving link equity.

2. Update or Replace the Link

If the broken link points to an outdated resource, update it with a working link that provides relevant information.

3. Remove the Broken Link

If there’s no suitable replacement, consider removing the broken link altogether to prevent user frustration and SEO penalties.

4. Contact the Website Owner

For external broken links, reach out to the website owner and request them to update the link, especially if it’s an important resource.

5. Use a Custom 404 Page

A well-designed 404 page with helpful navigation, links to popular pages, and a search function can improve user experience if visitors land on a broken link.

Common Challenges in Fixing Broken Links

While fixing broken links is essential, it comes with challenges:

• Large Websites – Manually finding and fixing broken links on a big website can be time-consuming. Using automated tools can help streamline the process.
• Frequent URL Changes – If your website undergoes frequent updates, broken links can become a recurring issue. Keeping a redirection strategy in place helps.
• Third-Party Dependencies – External links may break without notice, making regular audits necessary to maintain link integrity.

Tips for Preventing Broken Links in the Future

Prevention is better than cure. Here are some tips to minimize broken links on your website:

• Use Permanent URLs – Avoid unnecessary URL changes. If changes are needed, implement proper 301 redirects to ensure continuity.
• Monitor Links Regularly – Use tools like Google Search Console and Semrush to check for broken links and address them promptly.
• Check External Links Periodically – Verify that links to third-party websites are still active and replace or remove any broken ones.
• Avoid Typos – Double-check URLs before publishing them to prevent errors that lead to broken links.

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Conclusion

Fixing broken links is an ongoing process that significantly improves SEO, user experience, and overall website performance. Webdura recommends using tools like Google Search Console and Semrush to efficiently find broken links of a website and resolve them before they affect rankings. Implementing best practices and regular maintenance will keep your site healthy and optimized for 2025 and beyond.

Now that you know how to fix broken links, it’s time to audit your website and start fixing those dead links today!

Thanks For Reading !