Broken Links & 404 Errors: How They’re Hurting Your SEO (And How We Fix It)
Are Broken Links Killing Your SEO?
You’ve worked hard on your website—optimized content, engaging visuals, fast load times. But there’s one silent killer that might be wrecking your SEO: broken links and 404 errors.
These issues don’t just frustrate visitors; they also tell search engines that your site isn’t well-maintained. That means lower rankings, fewer clicks, and lost revenue. The good news? Fixing broken links is easier than you think.
Why Are Broken Links a Big Deal?
When a visitor clicks on a link and lands on a “404 Page Not Found” error, it’s a dead end. Here’s how broken links affect your website:
- Poor User Experience – Nobody likes hitting a dead link. Visitors may leave and never come back.
- Lower SEO Rankings – Search engines crawl your site looking for high-quality, relevant content. Too many broken links signal neglect, which can hurt your ranking.
- Lost Conversions – Imagine someone ready to buy, but the checkout page link is broken. That’s a lost sale.
- Wasted Backlink Value – If other websites link to a page on your site that no longer exists, you’re losing valuable referral traffic and SEO authority.
What Causes Broken Links and 404 Errors?
- Deleted or Moved Pages – If you remove a page without setting up a redirect, visitors get a 404 error.
- Typos in URLs – A simple spelling mistake can make a link useless.
- Changes in Website Structure – If you change your permalink structure without redirects, old links will break.
- Expired External Links – Websites you linked to may have removed content or shut down.
- Faulty Plugins or Themes – Some poorly coded plugins or themes can create broken links without you even realizing it.
How to Find Broken Links on Your Site
Before you fix them, you need to find them. Here’s how:
- Google Search Console – Under the “Coverage” report, look for 404 errors.
- Online Link Checkers – Tools like Broken Link Checker, Dead Link Checker, or Screaming Frog SEO Spider can scan your site.
- Manual Checks – Periodically clicking on your site’s main links can catch major issues.
How to Fix Broken Links and 404 Errors
1. Redirect the Broken Links
If a page is deleted or moved, set up a 301 redirect to send visitors to the new location. Plugins like Redirection make this process easy.
2. Update Internal Links
Check and fix outdated links in your content, menus, and footers. If a link points to a deleted page, update it with a relevant, active page.
3. Fix External Links
If you’re linking to an external page that no longer exists, update the link or remove it altogether.
4. Monitor Your Site Regularly
Use automated tools to scan for broken links weekly or monthly. Catching issues early prevents bigger problems down the line.
5. Improve Your 404 Page
Sometimes, 404 errors are unavoidable. A well-designed 404 page with a search bar and links to popular content can keep visitors engaged instead of bouncing away.
Recommended Plugin: Redirection
One of the best tools for managing 404 errors and broken links is the Redirection plugin. It helps track 404 errors, set up 301 redirects, and manage your website’s link health effortlessly. By using this plugin, you can:
- Easily redirect broken links to active pages.
- Monitor 404 errors and fix them quickly.
- Improve your site’s SEO and user experience.
With Redirection, keeping your website error-free becomes much easier, ensuring visitors and search engines always find the right content.
Why Professional Help Makes a Difference
Fixing broken links isn’t just about cleaning up your website—it’s about protecting your SEO, user experience, and conversions. While you can handle basic fixes, professional WordPress maintenance ensures:
- Regular Link Audits – We continuously monitor your site to catch issues before they impact rankings.
- Proper Redirects – Setting up the right redirects prevents traffic loss.
- Technical SEO Fixes – Some issues go beyond simple link updates, requiring expert intervention.
- Time Savings – Instead of spending hours troubleshooting, let experts handle it.
Don’t Let Broken Links Hurt Your Website
Every broken link is an opportunity lost. Regular site maintenance keeps your WordPress website running smoothly, helping you rank higher, keep visitors engaged, and maximize conversions.
Need help cleaning up broken links and optimizing your WordPress site? We’ve got you covered. Get in touch today, and let’s fix those SEO-killing errors!