How to Fix Broken Links on Your Website (Without the Tech Headache)

If you’ve ever updated a page name, deleted an old service, or restructured your site, there’s a sneaky little issue that can pop up: broken links.

Also known as 404 errors, these dead ends happen when someone clicks or visits a page that no longer exists on your site – and over time, they can quietly chip away at your SEO, user experience, and overall site credibility.

The good news? Fixing them is easier than you might think. It just takes one simple tool: a 301 redirect.

What’s a 301 Redirect (And Why Should You Care)?

In simple terms, a 301 redirect automatically sends visitors (and search engines) to a new page when the original one is no longer available. Instead of landing on an error page, they’re seamlessly taken to the right place.

This is especially helpful when you:

• Rename a page (like changing /services to /work-with-me)
• Delete an outdated blog post or offer
• Move content from one page to another

Why it matters:

• Preserves your SEO value. You don’t lose credit for the traffic your old page had.
• Prevents visitor frustration.
• Keeps your site feeling clean, current, and professional.

When You’d Want to Use a Redirect

It’s easy to forget about redirects – especially when you’re focused on updating content, refreshing your services, or simply cleaning up your site. But every time a page is deleted, renamed, or moved, there’s a chance someone could land on a broken link.

Adding a redirect in those moments helps ensure your visitors (and Google) always find the right page – even if the old one is long gone.

Here are a few examples:

• You updated your services and deleted a few old packages
• You changed your About page from /about to /meet-the-founder
• You archived a seasonal sales page
• You split one long blog post into two shorter ones

Tip: Try to set up redirects at the same time you’re making edits – it’s one of those small habits that keeps your site running smoothly behind the scenes.

How to Set Up a 301 Redirect (WordPress & Squarespace)

You don’t need to be a developer to do this – it’s a simple process you can handle in just a few clicks. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions for both WordPress and Squarespace, plus video tutorials embedded below if you prefer to follow along visually.

For WordPress Users (using the Redirection plugin):

1. Install and activate the Redirection plugin
2. In your dashboard, go to Tools → Redirection
3. Under “Add New Redirect”, enter:
   • Source URL: the page that no longer exists
   • Target URL: where you want visitors to go instead
4. Click Add Redirect – and you’re done!

For Squarespace Users:

1. Go to Settings (gear icon) → Developer Tools → URL Mappings
2. Add a new line using this format:
   /old-page → /new-page 301
3. Click Save

Extra Tips to Keep Your Redirects Working Smoothly

Redirects are simple to set up – but there are a few easy-to-miss details that can trip things up. Here’s how to avoid common mistakes and keep things running cleanly behind the scenes:

• Be consistent with slashes. /about and /about/ are treated as different URLs.
• Use relative URLs in Squarespace – that means just the part after .com (like /services, not www.yoursite.com/services).
• It’s case-sensitive. Double-check capitalization, especially for older links.
• Avoid chaining redirects. Don’t link Old → New → Newer. Go straight from the original to the current URL.
• Watch for typos. A single wrong character can break the link entirely.
• Test each redirect after you set it up. Make sure it’s pointing where you expect.
• Check for hidden broken links using a free tool like this one from AtomSEO. It’s a quick way to scan your entire site after a refresh or launch.

You Don’t Have to Be “Techy” to Be Strategic

Redirects might live behind the scenes – but they quietly protect your site’s user experience and search performance. If you’re updating, deleting, or renaming pages, this is one of those small details that makes a big difference.Want more behind-the-scenes tips like this? You can sign up for the JDS newsletter for practical website advice.