When you have multiple web pages in your site, the web pages typically "link" to each other. This means that an HTML file has some text or an image that links to another HTML file (specified by the filename) when the user clicks on it. Unfortunately, the page being linked to does not know where the link is coming from, so if you change the filename, the originating file does not know the file has been changed. This results in a broken link in your site.

The diagram below represents a page (“index.html”) that links to a page called “contact.html”. The problem is, the actual filename is contact_us.html.

Site management software is software that reads inside of your HTML files and makes sure each link, image, and rich-media element is accounted for in each file. You will then be provided with a list of any errors (or bugs) in your site. This can save you lots of time, and rescue you from having to click on each link on your site before publishing it.

There are a few site management tools available. Some are free and some can be user from a web browser. Others are built into your web-authoring environment and check files before you publish them to the web. GoLive® is an example of the latter, offering you real-time feedback on your site's status. However, GoLive offers some site management features that are truly unique.

GoLive's site management has the ability to check links inside rich-media elements too! And, what's more, GoLive can fix errors in the rich-media files without you needing the original application! This means that a broken link in a Flash (SWF) file can be fixed with GoLive. Broken links inside of interactive QuickTime files, SVG files, and PDF files can also be fixed without even owning QuickTime Pro, Illustrator®, or Acrobat®!

Learn more about creating a site in our Learning Center.