Web Site Maintenance Tools, Software

Section 2: Free, Commercial Web Site Link Checking Tools

Online Link Checkers, Downloadable Link Checking Software

The Link Checking Tools section below provides annotated links to commercial and free Web site link checking software and tools for online use or as downloadable link checking software.

Do you know of some helpful online tools, software, Web sites, books, or other resources related to checking links? Recommendations are welcome and encouraged!

Commercial Web Site Link Checking Software, Tools

Commercial Web Site Link Checking Software

Many HTML programs come with a link checking feature. They may or may not be as robust as needed, however, especially for a larger site with many links. Some of the programs below may offer more features than the link checking features within the HTML programs, too, such as WebQA, by Watchfire.

Note: In WebsiteTips.com's testing of these, while most will find dead links fine, some of these programs handle redirected links unpredictably or ignore them (some have settings to ignore or not ignore them so be sure to check that, too). While some redirected links are inconsequential, many redirected links mean that you need to update your links; therefore, redirected links should not be overlooked. In addition, human intervention is still a good idea, too. For example, Web site owners don't always use the proper server-side codes for changed links or removed pages, which automated tools rely on.

Software programs that come with link checking software already included are CSE HTML Validator, Macromedia HomeSite and Adobe Dreamweaver (formerly Macromedia Dreamweaver). See the Web Authoring / HTML Editors section for more.

An inexpensive shareware plugin for BBEdit users. For Mac OS only.

LinkScan

by Elsop (Electronic Software Publishing Corporation). Another highly regarded link checking program, with unlimited link checking capabilities. Many kudos by well-known names, such as Sun Microsystems. For Windows.

Web Link Validator

This program finds broken links (including those using JavaScript and Flash), orphaned files, slow-loading, deep, outdated and small-sized pages. Results can be saved in HTML, TXT, RTF, CSV or MS Excel formats, filtering is available, and more helpful features. It comes in several versions and is priced according to number of links and type of use (personal, commercial, educational). Their personal version for smaller websites is around $25-$30 US and it checks up to 500 links, and their unlimited license version can check an unlimited number of links and large websites as needed. Quite a robust, excellent program. By REL Software, for Windows.

WebQA

Formerly Linkbot, now by Watchfire. Excellent, highly regarded program for link checking. Thorough, accurate. Checks dead, moved, redirected links, old pages, new pages, problem pages, images, frames, plug-ins, image maps, style sheets, more. Reports are easy to understand and use. Their Personal Edition checks up to 1,000 links. Integrates with Macromedia HomeSite and other programs, too. WebsiteTips.com highly recommends WebQA. By Watchfire, for Windows.

Commercial Online Web Site Link Checkers

An online link checking service for unlimited pages and sites. Detailed and thorough, scheduling, checks a multitude of link types and handles certain site management, just as others listed below. Also checks email addresses.

Netmechanic's HTML Toolbox

Checks for dead links, HTML errors, slow loading images, and more.

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Free Web Site Link Checking Tools

Free Web Site Link Checking Software

Link checker for broken links, redirected links, images, files, more. Provides reports, too. The lite version is free, the full version is only $20. For Mac OS X, Mac Classic.

W3C® Link Checker

Download this free tool from the W3C and use it via your server. You can also use it online, although you can check only a limited number of links. Free service by W3C.

Xenu Link Sleuth

Created by Tilman Hausherr. An excellent free link checking program. Checks links, images, frames, plug-ins, backgrounds, local image maps, style sheets, scripts and java applets Highly regarded and used by many who maintain Web sites.

• Guide to Using Xenu's Link Sleuth

Free Online Web Site Link Checkers

W3C's link checker will check up to 150 linked documents at once. Will also check redirected links, if desired. You can also download it and use it via your server. Free service by W3C.

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