How do I check broken links on an ecommerce website?
Check broken links on an ecommerce site by testing the URLs that actually make money: product pages, collection pages, campaign landing pages, and links inside emails or ads. Look for 404s, redirects to the homepage, and expired campaign parameters. CrossKit Link Checker reviews URLs in bulk; URL Cleaner and UTM Builder help you keep future links clean.
A 404 on a paid ad is not a “small SEO issue”. It is wasted spend.
Steps
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Inventory high-value URLs
Top SKUs, best collections, current ads, email footers, marketplace storefront links if you use them.
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Run them through a checker
Note status codes. 301 to the right product is OK; 302 loops and 404s are not.
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Fix at the source
Restore the product, add a redirect, or update the ad. Do not only fix the sitemap.
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Clean tracking junk that breaks cache or duplicates
URL Cleaner strips stray parameters when you need a canonical URL to test.
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Recheck after a sale or catalog import
Shopify CSV imports and Amazon storefront refreshes are classic 404 moments.
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Keep a living list of ad destinations
When creative changes, the URL often stays. The living list is how you catch a hat handle that changed while the ad kept spending.
Check money URLs first
Product pages, collections, campaign landings, email and ad links. Look for 404s, homepage redirects, and expired campaign paths. A 404 on a paid ad is wasted spend, not a small SEO issue. Inventory the list, run CrossKit Link Checker, note status codes. 301 to the right product is OK; 302 loops and 404s are not. Fix at the source: restore the product, add a redirect, or update the ad. URL Cleaner strips stray parameters when you need a canonical URL to test. Recheck after a sale or CSV import—classic 404 moments.
Redirects, short links and sitemaps
Do not only fix the sitemap. Do not send “smart” 404s to the homepage; send the closest collection or product. Shortened links can hide 404s—test the destination. URL Shortener should point at a URL you have already checked. UTM Builder creates new campaign URLs only after the base path works. Full-site crawlers exist; start with exported product URLs and navigation because that is where revenue sits.
Example
Summer campaign UTM link still points to `/products/straw-hat-2024` after you changed the handle to `straw-hat`. Ads spend $200/day on a 404. Checker flags it the morning after the import; you add a redirect and update the ad URL with a fresh UTM.
Common mistakes
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Only scanning the homepage
Ecommerce 404s live on old SKUs and expired launches.
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Leaving “smart” redirects to homepage
Users bounce. Redirect to the closest collection or product.
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Ignoring 200 responses that render an empty product template
Soft 404s look “fine” to a status-code checker. Spot-check the page title and add to cart. If the product is gone, redirect.
Recommended tool
Link Checker
CrossKit Link Checker tests URLs in bulk. Follow up with URL Cleaner, URL Shortener and UTM Builder for campaign hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my whole Shopify store?
Start with exported product URLs and navigation links. Full-site crawlers exist; the money pages matter first.
Do shortened links hide 404s?
They can. Expand or test the destination. URL Shortener should point at a URL you have already checked.
How often should I run a link check?
Before a campaign, after catalog imports, after handle changes, and on a monthly pass for top SKUs. Daily is only needed if you change URLs constantly.
Do marketplace listing URLs belong in the same check?
If you advertise them, yes. Amazon and TikTok Shop links go stale after suppressions. Keep a list of campaign destinations, not only your Shopify domain.