Broken Links, Broken Trust: How to Fix Your Site’s Reputation
Hello friends, welcome back to the Brand Studio Creative blog! We’re all about building brands that not only look good but work beautifully too! And today, we’re diving into one sneaky issue that could be quietly sabotaging your website’s performance: broken links. Whether you’re just getting started or have been in the game for years, this little detail can have a big impact on how your audience (and Google) sees you.
Let’s explore why broken links are such a big deal, how they impact trust and visibility, and what you can do to clean up your site so it reflects the polished, professional brand you’ve worked so hard to build.
Why Broken Links Are Bad for Business
A broken link might feel like a small hiccup in your user’s journey, but in the world of branding and business, every interaction matters. When someone visits your site and ends up on a 404 page, that little bump on the road can cause them to lose trust, question your professionalism, and bounce. Even worse, broken links send negative signals to search engines, suggesting your site may be outdated, poorly maintained, or delivering a subpar user experience. This can negatively impact your search engine rankings, increase your bounce rate, decrease your average time on site, and harm your overall reputation.
What Causes Broken Links?
Broken links can happen for many diverse reasons, and while they’re not always your fault, they are your responsibility. Maybe you deleted or moved a page and forgot to set up a redirect. Perhaps a third-party site you linked to removed its content, or you accidentally mistyped a URL. Rebrands and website overhauls can also lead to broken pathways when page structures or domains are changed. The truth is, websites are living, breathing entities. As your brand grows and evolves, your site will too. The key is to keep track of those changes and maintain your digital pathways so your audience never feels lost.
How to Find Broken Links (Before Your Clients Do)
Here’s the truth: broken links rarely make a scene. They often hide quietly in old blog posts, outdated product pages, or links to third-party content. That’s why being proactive is key. Some of our favorite tools for finding broken links include Screaming Frog for site-wide scans, Ahrefs, or SEMrush for powerful broken link checks; Google Search Console’s “Coverage”, and the Check My Links Chrome extension for quick page reviews. Start your audit with your most visited pages, high-converting content, and anything linked in your navigation menu. If you only fix one thing this month, make it this.
Fixing Broken Links the Smart Way
Once you’ve identified broken links, it’s time to start fixing. Start with 301 redirects for any pages that have moved, guiding both users and search engines to the correct destination. If you’ve linked to external content that’s been restructured or removed, update the URLs or swap them out for something more relevant. In cases where the content is gone for good and no longer useful, simply remove the link. Don’t forget to design a user-friendly 404 page with useful links, a search bar, or even a touch of humor to keep visitors engaged.
Broken Links are Fixable
A few broken links won’t ruin your SEO strategy, but if ignored, they can quietly damage your site’s credibility and performance. Search engines prioritize websites that are current, reliable, and user-friendly, while broken links suggest neglect or outdated content. The good news? Fixing them is one of the easiest ways to give your site an immediate boost. You’ll improve crawlability for search bots, enhance the user experience, increase time spent on your site, and build trust with both visitors and Google.
There you have it, friends! Broken links might seem like small issues, but they can quietly chip away at your brand’s credibility and your site’s performance. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to turn things around. At Brand Studio Creative, we offer comprehensive Website Audits that shine a light on those hidden trouble spots, broken links included, and give you a simple, strategic plan to clean things up!
We’re here to help you clear out the digital clutter and get your website back to working as hard as you do. Ready to restore trust and strengthen your brand’s online presence?
Book a FREE 1:1 Website Audit Call and let us guide you through this incredible journey. Together, we can make magic happen!
XOXO, Katie
Are you struggling with your brand?
Knowing where to start is hard, but we are here to make this process streamlined and effortless. We care about the success of your company and ensure that your brand represents YOU and your vision. Our team is lead by a master’s in brand strategy and communications CEO working hard so you can expect that your business will be visually consistent both digitally and in print.
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