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A Complete Guide to Fix Broken Links and 404 Errors in Shopify

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A Complete Guide to Fix Broken Links and 404 Errors in Shopify

Fix Errors and Broken Links : When your customers hit a frustrating “Page Not Found” message on your Shopify store, it’s more than just a minor inconvenience—it’s potentially lost revenue and damaged trust. Broken links and 404 errors create digital roadblocks that interrupt the shopping journey, but with the right approach, they’re completely fixable! In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about tracking down and eliminating these pesky errors from your Shopify store.

Let’s get back to basics for a moment. A broken link is exactly what it sounds like—a hyperlink that leads nowhere. When customers click on it, instead of reaching their destination, they hit a 404 error page that essentially says, “Oops, this page doesn’t exist!”

Think about it this way—you’ve invited friends to a dinner party with clear directions, but when they arrive at the address, there’s no house there. Pretty frustrating, right? That’s exactly how your customers feel when they encounter a 404 error while browsing your Shopify store.

Broken links don’t just materialize out of thin air. Several common culprits create these digital dead ends:

The most common scenario? You remove a product from your inventory, but customers have it bookmarked or it’s pinned on Pinterest. When they try to visit that page—boom, 404 error. Shopify automatically deletes a URL when you remove a product, leaving a digital hole where your page once existed.

Before you can fix broken links, you need to find them. Here’s how to become a digital detective:

Several tools can scan your Shopify store and identify broken links:

  • Ablestar Link Manager: Specifically designed for Shopify stores, this tool scans up to 1,000 pages and compiles errors into a spreadsheet
  • TinyIMG: Offers automatic detection and fixing of broken links
  • Shopify Link Scanner: A free tool that scans your store and emails you a report
  • Broken Link 404/301 Redirect
  • Dead link checker: Free manual checking

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Check Google Analytics

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Google Analytics can help identify pages where visitors are encountering 404 errors:

  1. Log into your Google Analytics account
  2. Navigate to Behavior > Site Content > All Pages
  3. Set up a filter for “Page Title” containing “404” or “Not Found”
  4. Review the list to see which broken pages visitors are hitting

Found your broken links? Great! Now let’s fix them:

  • Set Up URL Redirects in Shopify

The most effective solution is to set up redirects that automatically send visitors from the old URL to a new, working page:

  1. Log into your Shopify admin panel
  2. Go to Online Store > Navigation
  3. Click on URL Redirects (next to “Add menu”)
  4. Click “Add URL redirect”
  5. Enter the old path in the “Redirect from” field (remember to start with a slash, like “/old-product”)
  6. Enter the new path in the “Redirect to” field
  7. Click Save

  • Use a Redirect App for Bulk Fixes

This process ensures that anyone visiting the old URL will be seamlessly redirected to a new, functional page7.For bulk fixes of broken links, consider using apps like TinyIMG, which sets up automatic redirects for broken pages, or Ablestar Link Manager, which helps manage and fix broken links efficiently. These tools streamline the process and save time by automating link management.

  • Update Internal Links

Additionally, update internal links pointing to outdated pages. Use your site’s search function to locate mentions of old URLs in blog posts, collection pages, navigation menus, and footer links. Correcting these ensures a consistent user experience and prevents further issues with broken links.

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Create a 301 Redirect in Shopify

Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel

Go to Online Store > Navigation

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On the Navigation page, click on URL Redirects.

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Click on the Create URL Redirect button.

Broken Links

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In the Redirect from field, enter the old URL path (e.g., /old-page).

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In the Redirect to field, enter the new URL path (e.g., /new-page). If redirecting to an external site, use the full URL (e.g., https://example.com/new-page).

Click the Save redirect button to finalize your changes.

Rather than constantly fixing broken links, why not prevent them in the first place?

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Considering the things while Customizing Your 404 Page :

Let’s face it—even with your best efforts, some visitors will eventually hit a 404 page. When they do, make it work for you:

Effective 404 Page Elements:

  • A clear, friendly message acknowledging the error
  • Your store’s branding and navigation menu
  • A search bar to help visitors find what they’re looking for
  • Links to popular products or categories

How often should I check for broken links on my Shopify store?
It’s best to check for broken links at least once a month, and always after making significant changes to your store structure or removing products.

Will broken links affect my store’s SEO ranking?
Yes, search engines like Google consider broken links a sign of poor site maintenance, which can negatively impact your SEO ranking.

What’s better: fixing broken links or customizing my 404 page?
Both are important! Fix broken links to prevent 404 errors in the first place, but also customize your 404 page to help recover visitors who do encounter errors.

Can I see which external websites are linking to my broken pages?
Yes, tools like Google Search Console can show you which external sites are linking to pages on your store that no longer exist.

If I delete a product, does Shopify automatically create a redirect?
No, Shopify doesn’t automatically create redirects when you delete products, so you’ll need to set them up manually or use an app that handles this for you.

Broken links and 404 errors might seem like minor technical glitches, but they can significantly impact your Shopify store’s performance. By regularly checking for broken links, setting up proper redirects, and creating a helpful 404 page, you’ll provide a smoother shopping experience that keeps customers on your site and ready to buy.

Remember, maintaining your Shopify store is an ongoing process. Make link checking part of your regular maintenance routine, and you’ll ensure your customers always reach their destination—and your products!