How to Spot and Fix URL Issues Quickly

Ever clicked a link and ended up on a 404 page? That’s a URL issue, and it can scare visitors away. The good news is you don’t need a PhD to sort it out. Below are practical steps you can start using today.

Identify the problem

First, find the broken URLs. Use free tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or even a simple site search (site:yourdomain.com "404"). These tools list pages that return errors, missing redirects, or duplicate URLs. Write down the URLs that need attention so you have a clear to‑do list.

Next, check the cause. Common reasons include typo in the link, moved content without a redirect, or a changed URL structure after a redesign. Open the URL in a browser and look at the address bar – does it match the link you expected? If not, you’ve found a mismatch.

Fix the issue

There are three main ways to fix a broken link:

• Redirect it. Set up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the correct page. This tells browsers and search engines the page moved permanently and keeps the link equity.
• Update the link. If the link points to a wrong address, edit the HTML or CMS content to use the right URL.
• Remove it. If the destination no longer exists and there’s nothing relevant to replace it, delete the link. Leaving a dead link hurts user experience.

When you add redirects, keep them simple – just one hop. Multiple redirects slow down page load and can confuse search engines.

Don’t forget to test after you make changes. Click the corrected links, run the audit tool again, and verify that no 404s remain.

Remember, fixing URL issues isn’t a one‑time job. Schedule regular checks – once a month or after major site updates – to keep everything running smooth.

By catching broken URLs early, you improve user experience, protect SEO value, and avoid losing traffic to error pages. Simple steps, big impact.