When a web designer takes a page off from the web site without replacing it with another page to clarify the old pages location,In such case the user sees a 404 or "page not found" error message. When we get this error message even when the link still exists, then this is termed as link rot. This can happen when a website domain or web page address is changed for some reasons.

Link rot often happens when you are re-organizing the website or there is some problem with the hosting service. The page is set up on a new keyword rich Url. But it is better to not let this happen, so plan your website properly well in advance. Re-organizing site means there was none earlier and whatever natural organic linking the pages might have gathered over the period of time will be lost if redirect is not in place. The users who have bookmarked the website are certainly going to loose the track of the site if redirect is not there. Use redirect whenever a change in domain name or url of the web pages takes place. Any way page not found is a bad impression therefore the link rot should always be prevented.

To prevent link rot keep urls permanent, even if they appear as disorganized to you. It is too late. In case of one or two odd pages which have to be moved to a new address then redirect them to the old url. Even meta refresh or Javascript can be employed.

Before uploading your website subject it to rigorous testing - check its navigation. The navigation should be designed keeping the user in mind, hence get some users to go through it for unbiased review. Assure that each and every page on the website should have a clear navigation so the user can move easily from there to seek further information he is interested in. This is why the inner pages are also called relational pages. Navigational buttons should state what the page stand for. A good website design will always prevent or guard against any breakages among the links on the website.