What is a 404 Error?
The 404 error is an HTTP status code in response from the web server informing the browser about the URL or webpage it’s requesting cannot be found. The error message shown on the browser varies based on how the server is configured to respond to 404 error messages. Below are the examples of 404 Page Not Found, HTTP 404 Not Found, the request page URL could not be found and this page has been moved or deleted.
What is a soft 404 Error?
A soft 404 error comes when a web server replies to a browser’s webpage request with an HTTP status code of “200 OK”, informing that the page was found, but search engines consider the page does meet the standards of relevant and useful content. In other words, the server says the page exists, but the search engine thinks it couldn’t count as a real page.
It is not a part of the standard list of HTTP status codes; rather they are perfect in identifying the search engines used to tag webpages and decide whether or not those pages should be highlighted in the SERP (Search Engine Results Page).
Read: What Are the Main Differences Between SFTP and FTPS?
What Causes a 404 Error
It occurs when a web server is not able to locate the requested resource.
This can happen for several reasons:
- Incorrect URL: It means typing an incorrect URL.
- Deleted or moved page: The page may have been removed from the website or relocated to a different URL.
- Server configuration issue: There might be a problem with the web server’s settings that prevents it from finding the resource.
- Temporary network issues: Network connectivity problems can sometimes cause 404 errors.
Check a few common causes in-depth:
- Typos: A simple misspelling in the URL can lead to a 404 error.
- Broken links: Outdated links that point to a page that no longer exists can cause 404 errors.
- Server configuration errors: Mistakes in server settings, such as incorrect file permissions or misconfigured redirects, can result in 404 errors.
- Temporary network disruptions: Network outages or slowdowns can sometimes prevent the server from responding to requests, leading to 404 errors.
If you encounter a 404 error, double-check the URL, try searching for the content using the website’s search function, or contact the website’s administrator for assistance.
Steps to find 404 Errors on your site
- Use a Website Crawler:
- Google Search Console: This tool from Google helps to locate the broken links and 404 errors on your website.
- Other Crawlers: There are many third-party tools available that can crawl your website and report 404 errors, such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
- Monitor Server Logs:
- Check your web server’s logs for entries that indicate 404 errors. These logs usually contain information about the URL that was requested and the status code returned.
- Use a Browser Extension:
- This helps to locate the broken links and 404 errors while browsing the website.
- Manually Check Broken Links:
- While time-consuming, manually clicking on links throughout your website can help you to identify broken ones.
- Use a Link Checker Tool:
- Online tools allow you to enter a list of URLs and check if they are still active.
Additional Tips:
- Set up redirects: This is essential for setting a new location to neglect 404 errors.
- Regularly update your website: Keep your content fresh and up-to-date to minimize the risk of broken links.
- Use a content management system (CMS): Many CMS platforms have built-in features to help you manage redirects and detect broken links.
By following these steps, you can effectively identify and address 404 errors on your website, improving the user experience and search engine optimization.
Read: The Future of Internet Protocol: IPv4 vs IPv6
Steps to Fix 404 Errors
- Verify the URL:
- Double-check the spelling and capitalization: A small typo can lead to a 404 error.
- Ensure the URL structure is correct: Check for missing or extra slashes, incorrect file extensions, or case sensitivity issues.
- Check for Moved or Deleted Content:
- Search your website: Use your website’s search function to find the content that might have been moved or deleted.
- Review your content management system (CMS): Check your CMS’s history or trash bin to see if the content has been moved or deleted accidentally.
- Implement Redirects:
- Use 301 redirects: If content is transferred to a new URL, set up a 301 redirect to inform users and search engines of the right location.
- Use a .htaccess file or CMS plugin: Many CMS platforms and web servers provide tools to manage redirects.
- Update Broken Links:
- Manually edit links: If you find broken links, manually update them to point to the correct location.
- Use a link checker tool: Automated tools can help you find and fix broken links on a large scale.
- Check Server Configuration:
- Verify file permissions: Ensure that files and directories have the correct access permissions.
- Check for server errors: Look for any error messages in your server logs that might be causing 404 errors.
- Optimize Your Website Structure:
- Create a clear sitemap: A well-structured sitemap helps search engines understand your website’s organization and can prevent 404 errors.
- Use descriptive URLs: Make your URLs informative and relevant to the content they link to.
- Monitor for New 404 Errors:
- Use website crawlers: Regularly scan your website for new 404 errors using tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
- Set up alerts: Configure your website monitoring tools to notify you of any new 404 errors.
By following these steps, you can effectively fix 404 errors and improve the user experience of your website. Remember to prioritize fixing errors that impact important pages or frequently visited sections of your site.
Conclusion
404 errors are often misunderstood, with many believing they solely indicate a website’s failure; however, they serve as essential indicators of broken links or missing content, prompting necessary maintenance and improvement of web resources. Understanding the nature of 404 errors can enhance user experience and website functionality.