Have you ever tried to open a webpage, only to have your browser display this message: “Error 404”? We’ve all seen this message at least once somewhere, but do you know what it means? Join us for this quick read to learn what error 404 is, why it happens, and how to deal with it when it occurs on your website. This is critical because it can have a profoundly negative impact on your SEO plan and needs to be addressed immediately.
A 404 error is a standard HTTP reply code that signifies the server was unable to locate the requested resource or domain. If you visit a website and see an error 404, it indicates that the URL you requested could not be found on the server.
The "404" number belongs to the set of three-digit HTTP status codes, each of which indicates the state of the resource that was requested. A 404 error precisely shows that the resource you requested could not be located on the server.
When an error 404 occurs, it means that there might’ve been a mistake on either your end as a user or the developers’ end. Here are the most common causes:
When you encounter a 404 error, don’t be so quick to leave the webpage because the mistake might be on your end. The server might not be able to locate the related resource if you write the URL incorrectly in the address bar or click on a link that contains a typo. So, always double-check the URL before jumping to conclusions.
Suppose the webpage you requested has been removed or relocated to another location on the server. In that case, the URL that previously pointed to the old webpage location will typically result in a 404 error.
If a website gets a redesign or restructure, the URLs of specific sections may change. If the old URL addresses weren't all properly converted to the new ones, users may encounter 404 errors when trying to visit the old URLs.
Websites might include hyperlinks to external resources; 404 errors may occur if those resources are no longer functional or have moved or modified their URLs.
A 404 error can have several remarkable adverse effects on your website’s SEO plan. Here are a few good examples of that:
When users get a 404 error, it can be a very frustrating experience for them, especially if they have been searching for a specific piece of information or content. Improper user experience can lead to poorer overall user satisfaction, reduced time spent on the website, and higher bounce rates.
Frequent or widespread 404 errors can erode your website's credibility and reputation. It can give the impression of a poorly maintained or outdated site, which would make your website appear untrustworthy.
Crawlers from search engines visit web pages on an ongoing basis to index their material. Search engines may find it difficult to index and comprehend the structure of your website if key pages produce 404 errors, which could have an impact on how well you rank.
When search engines encounter frequent 404 errors, they may perceive it as an indication of inadequate content management or an untrustworthy website. This can severely impact your SEO rankings, resulting in reduced exposure on search engine results pages.
When crawling, search engines assign a specific amount of resources (called a crawling budget) to every website. If a large percentage of your website produces 404 errors, search engines might take a lot of time to crawl and index your essential material.
Identifying the source of the error and taking the necessary action to correct it is the first step in resolving the 404 page error on your website. The following standard procedures can be used to diagnose and resolve 404 errors on your website:
Examine the URL a second time to ensure it is correct and free of errors, and verify the path and capitalization.
Review your server logs for any specific error messages or patterns associated with 404 errors. This may shed light on the underlying reason.
Consider restoring the page or setting up a link that redirects to the new URL if the 404 error is the result of a lost or moved page. A CMS (content management system) or server configurations can be used for this.
If you have registered your website with Google Search Console, ensure you use it regularly to monitor your website for crawl errors. You can also use this to identify which individual URLs are problematic.
Update and preserve the content and structure of your website, keeping an eye out for structural changes and considering how they may impact existing URLs.
Make a unique 404 error page that offers users useful information. Some ideas include proposing that they visit the homepage, including a search tool, or providing their contact details to the support team.
It is essential to quickly address and replace broken links, implement appropriate redirects for moved or deleted pages, and routinely check your website for crawl issues to minimize the adverse impact of 404 errors on your website's SEO.
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