How to Fix 404 Errors in Squarespace
Broken links. We’ve all encountered them.
Those frustrating “404 Page Not Found” errors that disrupt the user experience and chip away at your website’s credibility. If you're using Squarespace, the good news is that fixing broken links is easier than you might think.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what 404 errors are, why they happen, and how to find and fix broken links in Squarespace quickly.
What is a 404 error?
A 404 error means a page is missing from your website. Users see this when they try to visit a non-existent URL. In Squarespace, this usually directs them to your custom 404 page if you have one. If not, they will see the default error page, which isn’t the best first impression.
Common causes of broken links
Broken links in Squarespace can happen for a variety of reasons:
Deleted or moved pages without updating internal links
Typos in URLs when linking to internal or external pages
Old blog posts or products that were removed
Third-party resources that have changed or no longer exist
No matter the cause, it’s important to fix them quickly to avoid frustrating your visitors and hurting your SEO.
How to find & fix broken links in Squarespace
1. Identify the broken links
Start by finding which links are broken. You can do this in several ways:
Google Search Console: If your site is connected to GSC, it will flag 404 errors under the “Coverage” or “Pages” report.
Online Link Checkers: Tools like Broken Link Checker or Dead Link Checker scan your site and list broken URLs.
Manual Testing: If your site is small, clicking through pages and checking links is an option, but not scalable for larger sites.
2. Redirect broken URLs
Squarespace allows you to create 301 redirects, sending users from the broken URL to a working page.
To set up a redirect:
In the Home Menu, go to Settings > Developer Tools > URL Mappings
Add a redirect in the following format:
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/old-page-url -> /new-page-url 301Save your changes.
This ensures users and search engines are sent to the correct page, preserving SEO value and user experience.
3. Update or remove internal links
Next, fix the source of the broken link:
Go to the page or section in your site where the broken link appears
Edit the content block (text, button, image, etc.)
Update the link to the correct URL, or remove it if it’s no longer relevant
4. Customise your 404 page
A friendly 404 page can make a mistake feel helpful.
To customise your 404 page:
In the Pages panel, create a new Not Linked page called something like “404 Error”
Design it with a helpful message, navigation links, or even a search bar
In Settings > Advanced > 404 Page, select the new page you created
Tips to prevent future 404s
Always update internal links when changing page URLs
Use descriptive slugs that are easy to remember
Periodically run a link audit using Google Search Console or external tools
Use URL mappings for any major site restructuring or rebranding
404 errors are normal for websites but can be managed easily. With Squarespace’s tools and some regular maintenance, you can ensure your site stays tidy, easy to use, and optimised for search engines.
