Over 25% of users click on the first Google result that pops up when they perform a search. If your website isn’t at least on the first page, you’re going to miss out on a lot of traffic.
The number one way to climb through the Google ranks is by polishing your SEO strategy. That means getting your business website in good working order.
Broken links will frustrate users and cause your rank to plummet. There are many reasons why a link may redirect users to an error page. You could have spelled the URL wrong or the landing page might have been deleted.
Either way, you’ll need to find the source of the problem if you’re going to fix it. Continue reading to learn more.
What Are Broken Links?
As the name suggests, a broken link is a link that doesn’t work. When a user clicks on one of these links, it will redirect them to an error page.
There are some broken links that you have control over and others that you don’t. If you change URLs or make changes to your professional site, you might break an internal link by accident. You can fix it in a few minutes with a simple click of your mouse.
You don’t have quite as much control over external links. These are links that send users to other websites.
If that website is down, the user will find themselves on an error page. The only way to fix it is by swapping the link for another.
Why Are Broken Links a Problem?
Broken links are a problem for website navigation. If a customer can’t get to your contact us page thanks to a broken internal link, they’ll leave and turn to one of your competitors.
These links are also bad for SEO. You see when Google’s algorithm crawls through your site, it will run a check on your links. It wants to know where these links are going and how valid they are as a source.
If the algorithm runs into a bunch of broken links, it will assume that your site is either unfinished or untrustworthy. This will drag your ranking through the mud.
Common Causes of Broken Links
All it takes is one small error to break a link. That’s why there are so many causes.
The five that you’ll run into the most are human error, a renamed page, a deleted page, removed downloadable content, and broken code.
Human Error
One of the most common causes of broken website links is human error. All it takes is one mistyped number or letter to confuse an internet server.
When it doesn’t know where to send a user, it will do the only thing it can do. Redirect them to an error page.
The best way to resolve this issue is to not let it happen in the first place. Always double-check your spelling.
Renamed Page
It’s okay to change the name of a URL. The problem is when you forget to update the links that’s associated with the old name.
Like with typos, this will confuse the server and cause it to send users to an error page.
Deleted Page
Sometimes, you have a link on your page that you believe is going to a valid webpage. Later, you learn that the page has been deleted. This will send your customers to a 404 error page.
Removed Downloadable Content
Not all links take users to another page. Sometimes they open some type of downloadable content.
If that downloadable content is gone, there’s nothing there for the link to open.
Broken Code
Sometimes your professional website code itself can break. When that happens, there’s a good chance that your links won’t work.
You’ll need to go in and fix the code to get everything up and moving again.
Finding and Fixing Broken Links
Broken links can’t drag down your SEO ranking and get in the way of good website navigation if you find them and fix them fast enough.
SEO tools will help you spot them. You should also test your links and use simple URLs.
SEO Tools
The easiest way to spot website errors is with SEO tools. These programs can run an audit that will check for broken links.
There are also link checkers that will allow you to scan for problem links and remove them. Local web design services can point out broken links as well.
Test Your Links
Testing links before you use them won’t completely stop them from breaking, but it will cut down the risk.
Always check your links before you publish your website. The same rule applies to any links you include on your social media page.
Use Simple URLs
Again, one of the most common reasons for broken links is typos. That’s why you should avoid complicated URLs.
Not only do simple URLs make typos less likely, but they’re also easier for users to type in.
Request a Fix
If the broken link is external, and you don’t want to remove it, you can request that the domain holder fix it.
It’s important to keep in mind that you may never receive a response. If that happens, you’ll have no choice but to find a replacement.
Delete the Links
The last option you have is to remove the link for the sake of SEO. Know that this shouldn’t be your go-to solution.
If you remove too many links, it could cause the structure of your site to crumble.
Don’t Let a Broken Link Ruin Your SEO Strategy
Broken links are an inconvenience for users and they can cause your SEO ranking to plummet. They can make your site come across as untrustworthy or unfinished.
The good news is that there are ways to find these broken links and fix them. Use simple URLs, invest in SEO tools, and if all else fails, delete the link.
For more tips that will help you build your professional site, visit the Business section of our blog.