Are you sure that all links on your website are working? When was the last time you tested them? Did you know that you can automate this test? Check out this article for more information on how you can do this.
Kathy Salden - 11 January 2021Broken links are links that, for some reason, cannot reach the target to which they are referring. Simply put: the link no longer works. This can be for a variety of reasons.
Internal links are links from your website to a different page on the same website, for example from one blog post to the next one, of from your homepage to your contact page. But internal links can also point to other types of targets, like images, videos, or files that are stored on your server. For example, a restaurant can have its menu stored as a PDF on the website.
External links (or outbound links) are outgoing links on your website that point to an external target. If you have a portfolio on your website, it could contain references to the websites of your clients. If one of those clients no longer exists, your link can break. In other words: broken links are not always within your control.
A broken link can be caused by a number of things:
The terms broken link and dead link are both correct, but some would argue that a broken link has a target that was moved, while a dead link has a target that no longer exists.
Not fixing broken links is referred to as ‘link rot’ or ‘link death’. If you accumulate a lot of non-functioning links on your website, this could do severe damage to your business.
Have you ever cursed at a vending machine because your snack got stuck? Threw your slipper at the TV because the signal was lost in the middle of an exciting episode? That is exactly how your web visitor is feeling when clicking a link that doesn’t work. Frustration is a horrible feeling, and you do not want to be associated with it.
Search engines have crawlers that regularly visit your web pages to determine how high you deserve to be in the search engine ranking. You might have a fascinating page about a particular topic, but if the link to it is broken, it will not get crawled. A high number of broken links is a sign of a website that is not being maintained very well. While broken links are never the only SEO factor considered, all the above could cause search engines to conclude that your website is not very valuable and does not deserve a top spot in the rankings.
Imagine that the most popular product in your web shop has a broken link. Or the most popular article on your blog. Or even worse: the link to your online calendar or reservation system. Most people will not tell you that they could not book an appointment or could not order your product. They will just go elsewhere. So it is in your best interest to make sure that all links are still operational.
Imagine that you are linking to a website that no longer exists. If the domain is not renewed, it could be claimed by other people. They will benefit of websites like yours linking to their website. They can have bad intentions for your visitors, which could harm your online reputation.
There are some best practices you can adopt to limit the number of broken links on your website. For example:
The most basic way to check for broken links is to visit every page and to click every link manually. Of course, nobody does that. It is simply too time-consuming and dull. Luckily, there are tools out there that will do the testing for you. Here is a short overview of the options.
Plugins or software extensions add a specific feature to an existing computer program. So, for example, your WordPress website could have a plugin that checks for broken links. he disadvantage is that you have to install the plugin. This can cause security issues if you do not trust the source. It can also slow down your system. And the plugin has to be compatible with the software or browser that you are using. For example, a Google Chrome plugin cannot be installed if you are using Firefox, and a Windows app will not work on your Mac.
Online broken link checkers are easier than plugins or extensions because they work on all devices and in all browsers. You simply go to the website, enter the URL and start checking. The disadvantage of online broken link checkers is that they only give you a snapshot of your website’s condition. They can tell you how many broken links you have right now, but they will stop watching your website once the test is over. If you want to be on top of your game 24/7, you need a broken link monitor.
A broken link monitor does more than simply check for broken links. It keeps an eye on your website all the time. When a link breaks, you get notified immediately by mail, text message, notification or whichever method of communication you have selected in the settings. And as a bonus, some of them (like Semonto) also keep an eye on the availability and performance of your website.
Want to find the broken links on your website? Then give our tool Semonto a try. What makes Semonto better than other broken link monitors, is that it has a lot more features. Semonto does not only check for broken links; it also lets you know when your website is offline, slow to respond or has HTTPS security issues. Why not create a 30-day free trial? We will not ask for your credit card, and you can cancel at any time. Create a free trial here.
