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2 Creating your site : Checking for linkrot

Checking for linkrot

Linkrot - what is it? One definition (from marketingterms.com) is:

Linkrot: When Web pages previously accessible at a particular URL are no longer reachable at that URL due to movement or deletion of the pages.

Web sites are updated, links are changed, and pages are eliminated. This is a fact of life on the web. However, when people can't find what they're looking for because of these changes, you have a problem with your web site. You've been there - you know how frustrating it is to click on a link and instead get the 'this page has been moved' or 'that page no longer exists' or the ever-popular '404 error'. Don't put your users through the same.

Avoid linkrot on your site

There are a a few simple rules to follow to avoid linkrot on your site:

  • Don't change URLS - ever.
  • Keep all old pages - forever.
  • If you must move a page - leave a redirect behind.

These rules might seem rather strict and prohibitive - they are. It's the only sure way to avoid the problem. However, life is never that easy. There are valid reasons for changing URLs (web site growth, inaccurate information, new content management system software), so if you must change URLs, remove old pages, or move your site...

Find and eliminate linkrot

How? Run link validation on your site on a regular basis.

Link validation software allows you to quickly check your site for broken, missing or dead links, images, etc. Most of these packages provide a clear, HTML-version report which makes correcting the problems relatively painless.

Link-checking tools

There are a number of tools and services available to help you check for linkrot:

  • W3C Link Checker: The W3C provides a link check tool that allows you to check a single page. The tool is at: W3C Link Checker
  • UMD Bad URLs Report: On the UMD web site, ITSS runs a nightly "Bad Links" report and posts it on the web. This free report can be used as a starting point to correct problems on your site. For today's report, see: UMD Bad URLs
  • ITSS LinkBot Service: For a flat fee of $15, ITSS can provide a detailed report customized for your site. In addition to problem links, the report lists orphan files, missing titles, missing attributes, usability problems (slow or buried pages), and more. To request this service, please complete the online Check links on a web site form.

Rev: sab 09.03

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