What is 404 Error, and How Can You Fix It?

Have you ever clicked a link and been met with a “Page Not Found” message? That’s a 404 error in action. While common, these errors can be frustrating for users and harmful to your website. In this guide, we’ll explore what causes 404 errors, how to find them, and, most importantly, how to fix them.

What is a 404 error?

A 404 error is an error code that indicates a user has tried to access a web page that can’t exist or be found. It’s like a digital dead end. When a web server can’t locate the requested page, it returns this error message to the user’s browser. This error code is part of the HTTP status codes defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which dictate how web servers and browsers communicate.

How do 404 errors work?

When you type a URL into your browser or click a link, your browser sends a request to the server where that website is located. This request asks the server to deliver the files necessary to display the web page you’re trying to access.

Think of the URL as a set of directions; it tells the server exactly where to find the files that make up the web page. If the page exists and everything works correctly, the server sends those files back to your browser, which loads.

However, if the server can’t find the files for the requested page – perhaps you deleted it, moved it to a different location, or mistyped the URL – it can’t fulfill the request. Instead, it sends back a 404 status code.

This 404 status code tells your browser the requested resource is unavailable. Your browser then displays this information as a 404 error message, often with phrases like “Page Not Found” or “Error 404.”

Common causes of a 404 error

Understanding why 404 errors happen is the first step to fixing and preventing them in the future. A 404 error occurs when there’s a disconnect between a link and the resources available on the web server. Here are common scenarios that cause this disconnect.

• Broken links. This is the most common cause. A broken link is a link that points to a non-existent page. This happens when one of the following scenarios comes up.
  • A page is deleted. When a page is removed from a website, any links pointing to that page turn into broken or dead links.
  • A page’s URL is changed. If a page’s URL is changed without updating the links pointing to it, those links will lead to a 404 error.
  • URL typos. Even a small typo in a URL can make it impossible for the server to find the correct page. For example, a slight misspelling within the website domain (e.g., .com instead of .org) can lead to a 404 error.
  • Your content management system (CMS) is outdated. An outdated CMS can sometimes generate incorrect links, leading to 404 errors.
• Website migration. When you redesign your website or move it to a new server, the structure of your site and the URLs of your pages often change. If you don’t redirect old URLs to their new locations, any links pointing to those old URLs will result in 404 errors.
• External links. There are times when other websites might link to pages on your site. When you delete or move a page that another site links to, visitors clicking that link will get a 404 error. This is why monitoring your site’s external links and redirecting when necessary is important.

Impact of 404 errors

While the occasional 404 error might seem minor, don’t feel complacent. These seemingly small glitches can significantly impact your website’s performance and reputation. Here’s how they can affect your website.

Poor user experience

When a user encounters a 404 error, it disrupts their browsing experience. They are suddenly stopped and presented with a message that says, “This page doesn’t exist.” This can be frustrating, especially if the user seeks information or tries to complete a task. It can lead users to leave your site, increasing your bounce rate and reducing the time spent on your site.

Damaged credibility

A website filled with 404 errors gives the impression of neglect and unprofessionalism. Users might see your site as outdated, unreliable, or even suspicious. This can damage your brand’s reputation and reduce user engagement.

Lower search engine rankings

Search engines like Google prioritize user experience to provide the most relevant and high-quality results. Websites with 404 errors can indicate that the site is poorly maintained or provides a poor user experience. This can negatively impact your search engine rankings, making it harder for users to find your site.

Lost link equity

Links are a crucial factor in SEO. When other websites link to yours, it shows search engines that your site is valuable and authoritative. This “link equity” can boost your search rankings.

However, when links point to 404 pages, this link equity is lost. Search engines can’t follow broken links, and their value is wasted. This can hinder your site’s ranking in search engine results pages.

Finding 404 errors on your website

Regularly checking for 404 errors is an essential part of website maintenance. Identifying these errors allows you to address them promptly and prevent them from negatively impacting your users and search engine rankings. Here are several methods you can use to uncover those pesky 404s.

Manual checking

This method involves manually navigating your website and clicking on every link to ensure it leads to the intended page. While this approach can be effective for small websites, it becomes time-consuming and impractical for larger sites with hundreds or thousands of pages.

Log file analysis

For larger websites with significant traffic, log file analysis can be a valuable tool for identifying 404 errors. This more technical method involves examining the server’s log files. These files record every request made to the server, including those that result in 404 errors.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google that offers website owners information about their site’s performance, including data on 404 errors.

• Coverage report. Within the “Coverage” section of Google Search Console, you’ll find a report highlighting any 404 errors Google encountered while crawling your site. This report provides details about the affected URLs, allowing you to pinpoint the source of the errors and take corrective action.
• Sitemaps. Submitting a sitemap to Google Search Console helps Google understand your website’s structure and content. This can help identify 404 errors more efficiently.

Website crawler tools

Website crawlers are automated tools designed to scan your website and identify issues, including broken links that lead to 404 errors. These tools simulate user behavior by following links throughout your site, much like a search engine.

• Dead link checker. This popular tool is specifically designed to find broken links, both internal and external. It provides comprehensive reports detailing the location of the broken links and the affected pages.
• ATOMSEO. This website crawler can identify 404 errors and provide insights into other technical SEO issues affecting your site’s performance.

How to fix 404 errors

Discovering 404 errors is only half the battle. Once you’ve identified them, it’s crucial to take action and fix them promptly. Here are some solutions you can consider.

• Restore the page. You can often restore it from a backup if you accidentally deleted it. This is the simplest solution if you have recent backups of your website.
• Redirect the page. If you moved the page to a new location, implement a 301 redirect. This tells browsers and search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new address. When a user or a search engine bot tries to access the old URL, they will be automatically redirected to the new one, preventing a 404 error.
  • This is particularly important for maintaining SEO. Implementing a 301 redirect ensures that any link equity associated with the old URL is transferred to the new one.
• Correct the link. If the 404 error is caused by a simple typo in the URL, correcting the link is a quick and easy fix. Double-check the spelling and ensure the link points to the correct location.
• Remove the link. Removing any links pointing to it is best if the page is no longer relevant and you don’t have a suitable replacement. This prevents errors and improves the overall user experience on your site.
  • If the link is on your website, you can simply delete it.
  • If the link is on an external website, you can contact the website owner and request that they remove it or update it to point to a relevant page on your site.

Creating custom 404 pages

While relying on your CMS’ default 404 error page is okay, creating custom error pages can enhance your website’s user experience. A custom 404 page offers an opportunity to turn a potentially negative encounter into a positive one. Here’s why a custom 404 page is beneficial.

• Maintains branding consistency: A custom 404 page allows you to maintain your website’s design and branding. This reinforces your brand identity and prevents the 404 page from diverging away.
• Provides helpful navigation. A custom 404 page can provide helpful navigation options instead of stranding users. Include links to your homepage, popular pages, or a sitemap to make it easy for users to find their way back.
• Offers support and guidance: Use your custom 404 page to offer support and guidance. Include contact information, a link to your FAQ page, or even a search bar to help users find what they need.
• Injects personality. A custom 404 page allows you to inject some personality into your website. Use humor, engaging visuals, or a friendly tone to soften the impact of the error and leave a positive impression on users.

For example, you could create a page like this instead of a generic error message.

You can also consider these ideas when crafting your custom 404 page.

• Service providers. If you offer services, include your contact information on your 404 page. This makes it easy for users to reach out for assistance if they can’t find what they want.
• Ecommerce websites. Adding a search bar to your 404 page is essential for online stores. This allows users to quickly search for products even if they encounter a broken link.

Keep your website 404 error-free

Regularly monitoring your website for broken links and implementing the discussed fixes is crucial. By eliminating 404 errors, you ensure users find content more easily, leading to a more user-friendly experience on your site. This also enhances your SEO performance, as search engines favor websites that offer a good user experience.

A well-maintained website, free of broken links and error messages, projects professionalism and builds trust with your audience. Furthermore, ensuring your links’ functionality helps preserve link equity, which can positively impact your SEO efforts.

FAQs about 404 error message