Broken links usually come from wrong filenames, missing files, folder changes, or incorrect URL fragments. Check the link destination rather than guessing at a browser problem. The important question is always where the link leads and whether the person reading the page can predict it.
What You Need to Know
In local projects, a wrong letter case can work on one operating system and fail on another server. Check network requests for hosted pages.
Links are the pathways through a website. The words on a link should help someone choose where to go before clicking it.
Example: See It in Action
Take a look at this small piece of HTML. You can use it in a practice document and change the text to make it your own.
This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.
<nav>
<a href="about.html">About</a>
<a href="images/gallery.html">Gallery</a>
<a href="#contact">Contact below</a>
</nav>
<section id="contact">
<h2>Contact</h2>
</section>Let’s Understand the Example
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- Nav identifies a major collection of navigation links.
- Section groups content around a shared topic and usually has a heading.
- Href contains the destination of a link. A value starting with # points to an id on the same page.
- Id gives one element a unique name within the page, so a link, label, or script can point to it.
The first example link points to about.html. Check whether that destination exists relative to the document. A link changes where readers go; it does not perform an action such as saving a form.
What Should You See?
You should see a link named “About”. Selecting it leads to about.html when that destination exists. Try it with the mouse and the keyboard.
Imagine this link is read out of context. Would its text still explain the destination? Rename unclear links before trying to make them look nicer with CSS.
Try It Yourself
- Rename about.html and identify which link needs to change.
- Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
- Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Changing an HTML label while leaving the wrong href untouched.
- Avoid dead links, empty href values and clickable-looking text without a real destination.
Key Takeaways
- Broken links usually come from wrong filenames, missing files, folder changes, or incorrect URL fragments.
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- In local projects, a wrong letter case can work on one operating system and fail on another server. Check network requests for hosted pages.