Why fixing broken links is easier (and more important) than you think
Ever clicked on a link, only to land on a “404 Page Not Found” screen? It’s frustrating, and if it annoys you, imagine how your visitors feel when it happens on your website.
Broken links aren’t just an inconvenience; they can damage user experience, hurt your credibility, and even drag down your search rankings. The good news? Fixing them is simpler than you might think.
Better User Experience
- Prevents frustration: No one likes hitting dead ends online. When your links work, people stick around and explore more.
- Supports accessibility: For visitors using assistive technologies, broken links can be more than an annoyance. They create barriers, and fixing them makes your site more inclusive.
- Smooth navigation: Functional links encourage deeper browsing and make your content easier to enjoy.
Boosts Site Credibility
- Professional impression: A polished, well-maintained site shows you care about details. Too many broken links, on the other hand, can make your site feel dated.
- Builds trust: Visitors notice when your site feels current and reliable. Working links show that your content and your brand can be trusted.
SEO Benefits
- Higher rankings: Search engines reward smooth, error-free user experiences. Too many broken links can hurt your search positions.
- Preserves authority: When inbound links point to broken pages, your site loses valuable SEO equity. Redirecting or fixing them keeps your authority intact.
- Improves crawling: Bots follow links to discover and index content. Broken internal links can slow them down, which means some pages may not be indexed correctly.
Best Practices for Fixing Broken Links
- Run regular audits: Tools like Oh Dear, Website Auditoror Google Search Consolecan quickly detect issues before they cause problems. (1).
- Update or remove old links: If a page no longer exists, replace it with a new resource or remove the link completely.
- Use redirects: For moved content, set up 301 redirects to guide both users and search engines to the right place.
The takeaway: Fixing broken links might feel like a small task, but it pays off in big ways. It keeps users happy, builds brand trust, and strengthens your search presence. A little regular maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your website polished and professional.
Further Reading
- How to Find and Fix Broken Links on Your Website
- Sitebulb: Guide To Broken Links & How To Fix Them
- Google Search Central: Redirects and Google Search
- Google Search Central: Site Moves and Migrations
(1) - For Webmarks Design & Marketingclients with a website maintenance plan, we take care of this for you, scanning your site regularly and emailing you with updates so you always stay ahead of broken links.)