Fixing 404 Errors: Identifying Causes and Correcting Them |

Fixing 404 Errors: Identifying Causes and Correcting Them | Guide   Minutes reading time remaining By Antonio Blago June 4, 2024

Google Search Console, SEO, Tutorial

What is a 404 Error and Why Does It Occur?

Definition of the 404 Error

A 404 error occurs when a web server is unable to find the requested page. This error is displayed by an HTTP status code 404 and means that the requested resource is not available. The HTTP status code 404 is a standardized code used by web servers to indicate that the requested resource could not be identified. This can have various causes, such as an incorrectly entered URL, a moved or deleted page, or a problem with the server configuration. A 404 error is usually displayed by a standardized error message that informs the user that the page could not be found. This error message may look different depending on the web server and configuration, but it usually contains the status code 404 and a brief description of the problem.

Causes for the Occurrence of a 404 Error

Incorrect URL: Links that are not set correctly often lead to 404 errors.

Deleted Pages

When pages are deleted without updating the links, a 404 error occurs.

Typo in the URL

A simple typo can cause a page not to be identified.

Website Restructuring

Changes in the URL structure without proper redirects lead to 404 errors.

Why does a 404 error occur?

Incorrect URL

One of the most common causes of a 404 error is an incorrect URL. This can happen due to typos or incorrectly configured links. If a user enters a URL that does not exist or is misspelled, it leads to an "error 404 not found." Broken links that point to a page that no longer exists can also cause this error. In many cases, such faulty links arise from human error, such as copying and pasting URLs, or from automated processes that generate links and do not properly check them.

Deleted or moved pages

If pages are deleted or moved without setting up appropriate redirects, users may encounter an "error 404 not found." This is especially problematic if the pages were previously well-linked and indexed by search engines. This can happen particularly during a website migration or redesign. When a page is deleted, a 301 redirect should always be set up to guide users to a relevant new page. Without such redirects, users lose access to the desired content, leading to a poor user experience and negatively impacting the website's SEO performance.

Server issues

Sometimes the server cannot respond properly to a request, which can also lead to a 404 error. This can be caused by configuration issues or server overload. If the server is unable to find or load the requested page, a 404 error is generated. In such cases, it is important to check the server configuration and ensure that all required resources are available and functioning properly. Server issues can also be caused by network problems or security measures such as firewalls that block access to certain resources.

Here I show you how to find 404 errors with Google Sheets.

How does a 404 error affect SEO?

Negative user experience

"404 – page not found" can significantly impair the user experience, as visitors become frustrated when they cannot find the information they are looking for. If users repeatedly encounter 404 errors on a website, they lose trust in the site's reliability and are less likely to visit again. This leads to a higher bounce rate and a lower dwell time on the website. Search engines like Google take these user behavior metrics into account when evaluating the quality of a website, which can negatively affect the site's ranking in search results.

Worse rankings

Search services like Google rate websites with many 404 errors negatively, which can lead to worse rankings. When search engine crawlers encounter 404 errors, they interpret this as a sign that the website is poorly maintained and contains many broken links. This can result in the website being ranked lower in search results, reducing visibility and traffic. Additionally, frequent 404 errors can cause certain pages to be removed from the search engine's index, resulting in the loss of potential visitors.

Increased bounce rate

Users who encounter 404 errors tend to leave the website immediately, which increases the bounce rate. A high bounce rate signals to the search engine that the user experience on the website is poor, which can negatively impact the ranking. An increased bounce rate can also lower the conversion rate, as users who leave the website immediately have no opportunity to engage with the content or complete transactions. This can lead to a long-term loss of revenue and customers.

How can you fix a 404 error?

Step 1: Identify the faulty links

Use tools like

Google Search Console

or

RankMath

(free 404 monitor) to identify broken links on your website. These tools can provide a list of all URLs that cause a 404 error and help you quickly find the affected pages. Google Search Console offers detailed reports on crawling errors and allows you to check URLs that were not found by web crawlers. RankMath, a popular SEO plugin for WordPress, also provides features for monitoring and managing 404 errors and redirects.

404 Error "Not found 404" in Google Search Console

Step 2: Correcting the Links
Update or fix the faulty links manually. This may mean changing the URL to the correct address or replacing the broken link with a working one. In cases where the page has been moved or deleted, you can set up a 301 redirect to guide users to the new page. It is important to regularly check all faulty links and ensure they point to correct and relevant pages to guarantee optimal user experience and SEO performance.

Step 3: Using Redirects
Set up 301 redirects to redirect users from undiscovered pages to working pages. A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells web crawlers that the old page has been permanently redirected to the new page. This helps transfer the SEO value of the old page to the new one and prevents users from encountering 404 errors. In cases where the page is only temporarily unavailable, a 302 redirect can be used to temporarily guide users to another page.

Using Tools to Identify 404 Errors
Use SEO tools like RankMath or Google Search Console to identify and fix broken links.

Practical Tools to Detect 404 Errors

Google Search Console
The free tool from Google helps monitor and manage the status of your website.

RankMath
A plugin for WordPress to detect 404 errors and display the correct error code (free 404 monitor)

SEO Audit

An SEO audit with software like SE Ranking or SEMrush can identify 404 errors.

Screaming Frog

Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful desktop program that crawls websites and provides a comprehensive analysis of SEO and technical aspects, including 404 errors.

Creating a Custom 404 Error Page

A custom 404 page can improve the user experience by providing helpful links and a search function, allowing users to still find the content they are looking for. A custom 404 page can significantly enhance the user experience when an error occurs and the desired content cannot be found. Instead of a generic error message like "404 Not Found," helpful links and a search function can be displayed on the 404 page to assist users in finding the content they want.

404 errors occur when the web browser cannot connect to the requested page because the page does not exist or did not load correctly. By adding internal links to other pages on the website or a search function, users can quickly and easily navigate to other relevant content.

To create a custom 404 page, the web developer must define the appropriate error code (404) and add the desired content and links for the 404 page. This can help reduce the bounce rate and ensure that users stay on the website even when an error occurs, allowing them to discover more content.

Using the .htaccess File to Bypass 404 Errors

The .htaccess file is a powerful configuration tool used on Apache web servers to control various aspects of website management. One of the most useful features of the .htaccess file is the ability to bypass 404 errors by setting up custom error messages and redirects.

To manage 404 errors using the .htaccess file, you can add specific instructions that tell the web server to redirect users to a custom error page when the requested resource cannot be found. For example, you can add the following line to your .htaccess file:

ErrorDocument 404 /404.html

This instruction tells the web server to display the file "404.html" when a 404 error occurs. You can customize this file to include a user-friendly error message that informs the user the page was not found and directs them to other important areas of your website.

Additionally, you can set up redirects in the htaccess file to ensure that users are redirected from old, invalid URLs to the correct, current pages. This can be achieved by adding lines like the following:

Redirect 301 /old-page.html /new-page.html

This instruction creates a permanent 301 redirect from "old-page.html" to "new-page.html," ensuring that users and web search services are automatically directed to the correct page.

By using the .htaccess file to manage 404 errors, you can not only improve the user experience but also ensure that your website remains well-maintained and search engine friendly.

How to Prevent 404 Errors

Regular Monitoring

Regularly monitor your website to ensure that all links work correctly and no 404 errors occur. This can be done using tools like Google Search Console, RankMath (free 404 Monitor). Regular monitoring helps to quickly identify and fix broken links before they negatively impact user experience and SEO performance. It is important to regularly check reports on crawling errors and ensure that all links on your website function properly.

Use of Redirects

Implement 301 redirects when your website's URL structure changes or pages are deleted. Redirects help guide users from undiscovered pages to relevant new pages and prevent users from encountering 404 errors. A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines the old page has been permanently redirected to the new page. This helps transfer the SEO value of the old page to the new one and prevents users from encountering 404 errors. In cases where the page is only temporarily unavailable, a 302 redirect can be used to temporarily direct users to another page.

Updating the Sitemap

Ensure your sitemap is always up to date to inform search engines about the current URLs. An updated sitemap helps web search services understand the structure of your website and index the latest content. This can help avoid 404 errors by ensuring all current URLs are included in the sitemap and can be located by search engines. A well-maintained sitemap is an important part of a successful SEO strategy and helps avoid 404 errors and improve user experience.

Regular Monitoring of 404 Errors

Tools for Monitoring

Use tools like Google Search Console and RankMath to regularly check for broken links on your website. These tools can generate reports on broken links and 404 errors and help you quickly identify and fix affected pages. Google Search Console provides detailed reports on user activity on your website and can help you identify broken links visited by users. RankMath is a plugin for WordPress to check for broken links on your website and can regularly generate reports on found errors (here for the free 404 Monitor).

Automated Reports

Set up automated reports to be notified immediately when 404 errors occur. These reports can help you quickly identify and fix broken links before they negatively impact user experience and SEO performance. Automated reports can be set up in tools like SEMrush and RankMath. These reports can be checked regularly to ensure all links on your website function properly and no 404 errors occur.

Important SEO Aspects to Avoid 404 Errors

SEO Audits

Conduct regular SEO audits to ensure all links on your website work and no 404 errors occur. An SEO audit can help identify broken links, missing redirects, and other technical issues that can affect your website's SEO performance. It is important to regularly perform SEO audits and ensure all technical aspects of your website function properly.

User Friendliness

Continuously optimize your website to ensure an excellent user experience. A user-friendly website is easy to navigate, has well-structured content, and contains no broken links. A good user experience is an important factor for your website's SEO performance and can help reduce bounce rates and increase dwell time.

Content Updates

Keep your content up to date and regularly check that all links are still valid. Updated content is valuable not only for users but also for search engines. Regular content updates can help your website rank well in search results and help users find the information they want. It is important to regularly check all links on your website and ensure they point to current and relevant content.

Summary of Key Points

• Definition: A 404 error means the requested page cannot be found.
• Causes: Incorrect URL, deleted or moved pages, server issues.
• SEO Impact: Negative user experience, lower rankings, increased bounce rate.
• Fix: Identify and correct broken links, set up 301 redirects.
• Prevention: Regular monitoring, use of redirects, updating the sitemap.
• Custom 404 Page: User-friendly design, helpful links, search function.
• Tools: Google Search Console, RankMath, SEranking, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog.
• SEO Strategy: Regular SEO audits, optimization of user experience, continuous content updates.

What is a 404 error and why does it occur?

A 404 error occurs when the server cannot find a requested resource, such as a web page. This can happen if the URL is incorrect or the page no longer exists.

How do I know that a 404 error has occurred?

A 404 error is usually displayed with a message like "404 - Page not found" or "404 Not Found".

How can I create a custom 404 error?

You can create your own 404 error page using an editor or CMS to redirect visitors on your website when they land on a page that cannot be found.

How do I fix a 404 error?

To fix a 404 error, check the URL, update links, create a custom 404 error page, and monitor your website for errors.

What does the HTTP status code 404 mean?

The HTTP status code 404 means that the requested resource was not found.

Why is it important to fix 404 errors quickly?

It is important to fix 404 errors quickly because they can lead to a poor user experience and a lower ranking in search engines.

How do I find the cause of a 404 error?

To find the cause of a 404 error, check the server logs, review links and paths on your website, and monitor HTTP requests.

What role does CSS play in displaying 404 error pages?

CSS is used to design and layout 404 error pages to ensure they are user-friendly and appealing.

E-commerce SEO Case Study for PURELEI

E-commerce SEO Case Study: PURELEI.com +100% visibility in 8 months In October 2024, it started

Read More

Case study, SEO, strategies

E-commerce SEO Case Study for PURELEI

E-commerce SEO Case Study: PURELEI.com +100% visibility in 8 months In October 2024, it started [...]

Case study, SEO

Case Study: How we generated over €1.2 million in revenue with targeted blog content

Brief overview A fast-growing brand was able to generate over €1.2 million in revenue within 12 months through targeted content strategies and [...]

Automation, AI, SEO

Finally Accessible: Efficiently Filling ALT Texts with AI

5 (1) Practical example in Shopify In my job as an SEO freelancer [...]

Analysis, AI, SEO, SEO Tools

AI Prompt Keyword Mapper

0 (0) How to automatically analyze prompts Nowadays, prompts – that is, [...]

SEO, Shopify

Part 2: Automating Shopify Redirects: Connecting Sitemaps, Excel & Matrixify with Python

0 (0) 📖 Part of a series: Why missing redirects cost you traffic [...]

SEO, Shopify

Part 3: Planning Shopify Redirects Internationally: Combining Subdomains, Slugs & Sitemap Fallbacks Correctly

0 (0) 📖 Part of a series: Why missing redirects cost you traffic [...]

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Use my SEO roadmap to get to page 1 on Google!

Sign up for my newsletter and get access to free guides, checklists, and tools.