How to Fix Broken Links in WordPress – 404 Error Fixed
In the world of websites, broken links are inevitable. However, they can be frustrating for users and detrimental to your site’s SEO. When users click a link only to be greeted with a “404 Error – Page Not Found” message, they may lose trust in your website, which can lead to lost traffic and reduced engagement. In WordPress, broken links can occur for various reasons—content updates, URL structure changes, or deleting pages. Fortunately, fixing these broken links is simple with the right strategy.
In this article, we’ll dive into how to identify, fix, and prevent broken links in WordPress, helping you resolve those pesky 404 errors.
Why Broken Links Matter
Before we explore solutions, it’s important to understand why broken links are problematic:
- User Experience: When visitors encounter a 404 error, it disrupts their experience and can drive them away from your site.
- SEO Impact: Search engines, such as Google, penalize websites with too many broken links. This can negatively impact your rankings.
- Reputation: A site filled with broken links appears unmaintained, reducing credibility.
Identifying Broken Links in WordPress
The first step to fixing broken links is identifying them. You can use several methods to locate them:
1. Manual Checking
If you manage a small website, you can manually check each page and post for broken links. However, this method is not practical for larger sites.
2. Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool that provides detailed reports on your site’s performance, including crawl errors like broken links. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to your Google Search Console account.
- Navigate to the Coverage section.
- Look for pages that show the “404” error under the Excluded section.
This will provide a list of URLs that have broken links or are not accessible.
3. Broken Link Checker Plugin
The easiest way to find broken links on a WordPress site is to use a plugin. The Broken Link Checker plugin is one of the best tools for this job. It automatically scans your website for broken links and provides a report. Here’s how to use it:
- Install and activate the Broken Link Checker plugin.
- Once activated, the plugin will start scanning your site for broken links.
- Go to Settings > Link Checker to view broken links.
You can choose to either fix them manually or let the plugin handle them automatically.
4. Using SEO Tools
Paid tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog provide in-depth audits of your website, including broken links. These tools not only find broken links but also offer suggestions for fixing them.
How to Fix Broken Links in WordPress
Once you’ve identified the broken links, you’ll need to fix them. Here’s how to do it:
1. Redirect the Broken Link (Recommended)
One of the most effective ways to fix a broken link is to redirect it to a working page. This ensures that users and search engines don’t encounter a 404 error. You can set up redirects in WordPress using the Redirection plugin:
- Install and activate the Redirection plugin.
- Go to Tools > Redirection to access the plugin settings.
- Enter the old, broken URL in the Source URL field and the new, working URL in the Target URL field.
- Click Add Redirect.
This method allows you to seamlessly redirect visitors from the broken link to the correct page.
2. Update the URL
If a link leads to a page that has moved, you can update the link manually:
- Go to the post or page with the broken link.
- Edit the URL to point to the correct page.
- Save your changes.
This approach is suitable if you know exactly where the content has been relocated.
3. Restore Deleted Content
If the broken link points to a deleted page, consider restoring the page if it still holds value. You can recover deleted pages from the WordPress Trash within 30 days. After that, you will need to create the content again or redirect the broken URL.
4. Remove the Broken Link
If the content no longer exists and isn’t relevant, the best solution might be to remove the link altogether:
- Edit the post or page where the broken link appears.
- Remove the link, and ensure that the sentence or context still makes sense without it.
- Update the page.
This is useful when the linked content no longer serves a purpose.
How to Prevent Broken Links
While fixing broken links is important, preventing them is even better. Here are some strategies to minimize the risk of broken links on your WordPress site:
1. Regular Audits
Perform regular audits of your site using tools like Google Search Console or a plugin like Broken Link Checker. Fix any broken links as soon as they appear.
2. Consistent URL Structure
Avoid frequently changing your URL structure. If you must update a URL, make sure to set up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one to avoid broken links.
3. Maintain Internal Linking
When you delete a page or change its URL, always check if there are internal links pointing to it. Update or remove these links to prevent internal 404 errors.
4. Monitor External Links
External links can break if the target website removes the page. Monitor external links regularly, and either find alternative sources or remove outdated links.
Using a Custom 404 Page
Even with careful management, some broken links may slip through the cracks. Having a well-designed custom 404 error page can improve user experience when errors occur. Instead of the generic 404 page, create a custom one that offers helpful suggestions:
- Add a search bar so visitors can find the content they are looking for.
- Include links to popular pages or categories on your site.
- Add a friendly message encouraging visitors to stay on your site.
A custom 404 page keeps users engaged and reduces the chances of losing visitors due to broken links.
Conclusion
Broken links in WordPress can hurt your SEO and user experience, but they’re easily fixable with the right tools and strategies. By regularly checking for broken links using plugins or tools like Google Search Console and addressing 404 errors promptly, you can maintain a healthy, user-friendly website. Remember, the goal isn’t just to fix broken links but to prevent them from occurring in the first place. With these steps, you’ll have a more reliable and robust WordPress site, free of frustrating broken links.
