A Pre Launch Link Checklist
The best time to catch broken links is before launch. Here is the checklist to run first.
Before going live, crawl the staging site to surface internal links pointing nowhere and assets that fail to load, then verify every changed URL redirects to the right new one in a single hop. Recheck the live site immediately after launch, since no staging environment perfectly matches production and something can slip through.
Launch is the riskiest moment
A launch changes many things at once, which is exactly when links break in bulk. A short checklist run before you go live catches the problems while they are still cheap to fix. Related: Why do anchor links and in-page jumps break silently without ever reporting a 404 error?
Keep reading: When to Run a Full Link Audit, How a Site Crawl Actually Works, Reading a Redirect Chain Map. See how DeadLinkr helps you on demand link and redirect audits for seo.
Crawl the staging site
Run a full crawl on the staging version before launch. It surfaces the internal links that point nowhere and the assets that fail to load, so you fix them before any visitor sees them. Related: When to Run a Full Link Audit
Verify every redirect
If URLs changed, confirm each old address redirects to the right new one, in a single hop. This is the step that most often gets rushed and most often causes post launch damage. Related: Post Migration Audit: What to Check
Recheck right after launch
No staging environment is identical to production. A quick crawl immediately after launch confirms the live site is as clean as staging suggested, and catches anything that slipped through. Related: How a Site Crawl Actually Works
- Launch is when links break in bulk
- Crawl the staging site before going live
- Verify every redirect points correctly in one hop
- Recheck the live site right after launch
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is launch such a risky moment for links?
A launch changes many things at once, which is exactly when links break in bulk. A short checklist run before you go live catches the problems while they are still cheap to fix.
Why recheck the live site right after launch if staging was clean?
No staging environment is identical to production. A quick crawl immediately after launch confirms the live site is as clean as staging suggested and catches anything that slipped through.
A deep link audit whenever you need one
On demand link and redirect audits for SEO. DeadLinkr is built to help you put this into practice.
Run an auditMore from the DeadLinkr blog
When to Run a Full Link Audit
How a Site Crawl Actually Works
Reading a Redirect Chain Map
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