Learning outcomes
- Explain how to trace filenames, case, paths and deployment locations.
- Complete the guided practice safely.
- Check that you can repair the cause rather than redesign.
Publishing and Maintenance
404 and Link Troubleshooting
Learn to trace filenames, case, paths and deployment locations and repair the cause rather than redesign in this beginner-friendly website development lesson.
Before you begin
Work on a practice copy, keep filenames lowercase and hyphenated, and create a backup before changing a live website.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the relevant project page, file or WordPress screen and confirm you are working on a safe practice copy.
- Diagnose a fictional broken link.
- Inspect the result using browser tools or WordPress Preview; do not publish yet.
- Check keyboard use, mobile layout, content accuracy, links, images and privacy where applicable.
- Confirm that you can repair the cause rather than redesign, then save a clearly named version or backup.
Ian's practical tip: Preview first, test at desktop and mobile sizes, and keep a recoverable copy before publishing.
Practical activity
Diagnose a fictional broken link. The expected result is to repair the cause rather than redesign.