How to Fix Broken Links After Site Migration in Elementor

Site migration can be an exciting yet daunting task. Whether you are moving your website to a new hosting provider, changing your domain name, or simply upgrading your content management system, the process can lead to several technical issues, including broken links. Broken links can hurt your site’s user experience and SEO performance, causing frustration for visitors and potentially harming your search engine rankings. In this post, we’ll explore how to fix broken links after site migration in Elementor, ensuring that your website runs smoothly and effectively.

Understanding Broken Links

Before diving into the process of fixing broken links, it’s essential to understand what they are and why they occur. A broken link, often referred to as a “dead link,” is a hyperlink that no longer points to the intended page or resource. This can happen for several reasons:

• URL Changes: When you migrate a website, URLs may change, leading to broken links.
• Missing Pages: If pages that were previously available are deleted during migration, any links pointing to those pages will be broken.
• Incorrect Links: Errors during the migration process can lead to improperly formatted links.

Importance of Fixing Broken Links

Fixing broken links is vital for several reasons:

• User Experience: Broken links lead to frustration for users, negatively impacting their experience on your site.
• SEO Impact: Search engines penalize sites with broken links, which can affect your ranking in search results.
• Credibility: A website with numerous broken links appears unprofessional and can erode user trust.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Broken Links After Site Migration

Now that we understand what broken links are and why they matter, let’s dive into how to fix them after migrating your Elementor site.

Step 1: Identify Broken Links

The first step in addressing broken links is identifying them. There are various tools and methods available for this purpose:

1. Online Tools: Use online tools like Broken Link Checker or Dead Link Checker. Simply enter your site’s URL, and these tools will scan for broken links.
2. Google Search Console: If you have Google Search Console set up for your site, you can check for crawl errors under the “Coverage” report. Look for URLs listed as “404” or “Not Found.”
3. Browser Extensions: There are several browser extensions, like Check My Links, that can help you quickly identify broken links on a specific page.
4. Manual Inspection: Although time-consuming, manually checking links on your site, especially those that were modified or migrated, can also reveal broken links.

Step 2: Create a Backup

Before making any changes, it’s always a good idea to back up your website. This ensures that you can restore your site to its previous state if anything goes wrong during the fixing process.

1. Use a Backup Plugin: If you’re using WordPress, plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup can help you create a complete backup of your site.
2. Manual Backup: Alternatively, you can manually back up your website files and database through your hosting provider’s control panel.

Step 3: Fix Broken Links

After identifying broken links, the next step is to fix them. Here are a few methods to address broken links in Elementor:

Method 1: Update URLs Manually

For small websites with a few broken links, you can update them manually:

1. Edit the Page in Elementor: Navigate to the page where the broken link exists and click Edit with Elementor.
2. Locate the Link: Find the widget containing the broken link, such as a Button or Text widget.
3. Update the URL: In the left panel, update the link to point to the correct URL.
4. Save Changes: After updating the links, save your changes and publish the page.

Method 2: Use a Search and Replace Plugin

For larger sites, manually updating each broken link can be tedious. Instead, consider using a search and replace plugin:

1. Install a Search and Replace Plugin: Plugins like Better Search Replace or Search & Replace are excellent options. Install and activate your chosen plugin.
2. Configure the Plugin: Go to the plugin settings and enter the old URL (the broken link) in the search field and the new URL in the replace field.
3. Run the Search and Replace: Run the operation on the relevant tables (typically, this includes the posts and postmeta tables). Be cautious to avoid unintended changes.
4. Backup Your Database: Before running the search and replace, make sure to back up your database, as this process is irreversible.

Method 3: Redirect Broken Links

If certain URLs no longer exist or are permanently moved, setting up redirects is a suitable solution:

1. Use a Redirect Plugin: Install a plugin like Redirection to manage redirects easily.
2. Add Redirects: Go to the plugin settings and set up 301 redirects from the broken link to the correct URL. This way, users and search engines will be directed to the new location.
3. Test Redirects: Ensure that the redirects work correctly by testing the old URLs in your browser.

Step 4: Test Your Fixes

After fixing or redirecting the broken links, it’s crucial to test the changes:

1. Use Link Checker Tools Again: Run your site through a link checker tool to ensure that all broken links have been resolved.
2. Check in Different Browsers: Open your website in different browsers and devices to ensure all links are functioning correctly.
3. Monitor Google Search Console: Keep an eye on Google Search Console for any new crawl errors or issues that may arise after the fixes.

Step 5: Maintain Your Site

Preventing broken links in the future requires ongoing maintenance:

1. Regular Audits: Conduct periodic link audits to catch broken links before they impact user experience and SEO.
2. Use Monitoring Tools: Consider using tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog that can automatically notify you of broken links.
3. Keep Content Updated: Regularly review and update your content to ensure that all links are current and functioning.

Conclusion

Fixing broken links after migrating your Elementor site is essential for maintaining a positive user experience and protecting your SEO ranking. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently identify and fix broken links, ensuring that your website remains user-friendly and credible. Regular monitoring and maintenance will help you prevent broken links in the future, keeping your site in top shape. With these practices in place, you can focus on what matters most—delivering valuable content to your audience.