Imagine traveling for hours to visit a relative or old friend, only to find their home empty or permanently moved. Frustrating, right? That’s exactly how it feels when you stumble upon a 404 error while browsing a website.
So, what is a 404 error? It’s that annoying “Page Not Found” message that pops up when your browser can’t find the URL you’re looking for. This HTTP 404 error is quite common and signals to both users and search engines that the page is missing.
A 404 error doesn’t have to be all bad! It can help you identify and fix issues on your site. But if you don’t create a friendly 404 page, you risk driving potential customers away. Don’t worry, we are here to enlighten your path towards your website SEO. In this write-up, we’ll chat about what a 404 error means, how it affects your users, and its impact on SEO.
If you’re in the Chicago web design scene, understanding this is key to keeping your online presence strong and engaging. So, let’s dive into how to craft a custom 404 page that not only guides visitors but also leaves a positive impression of your business!
What is a 404 Error & its Impacts?
A 404 error page is an error message that is designed to appear when a website won’t load. It is the error page or content for users that displays when they try to reach a non-existent page on our website. Despite there being a lot of thoughts and discussions around 404 errors and their impacts, the fact states that 404 errors are nearly unavoidable.
Causes of a 404 Error
Deleted or Moved Content: If a page has been removed or relocated without a proper redirect, users will encounter a 404 error.
Broken Links: Links pointing to non-existent pages can lead to a 404 error, whether they are internal (within your website) or external (from other websites).
Mistyped URLs: Simple human errors, such as typos in the web address, can result in a 404 error.
Impacts of a 404 Error
It is tempting to redirect all 404 errors to the homepage, that’s the opposite of what you might be performing.
SEO Consequences: Search engines like Google view a high number of 404 errors as a sign of poor site maintenance. This can negatively impact your website’s ranking, making it harder for potential visitors to find you.
Lost Traffic: Each 404 error represents potential lost traffic. If users abandon your site after hitting a 404 error, you’re missing out on potential customers or followers.
Brand Perception: Frequent 404 errors can damage your brand’s reputation. A well-maintained site fosters trust, while a site riddled with errors may leave users questioning your professionalism.
How to Find 404 Errors?
A large number of 404 errors could invite a big blunder for your website. If we start from the user’s POV, continually running into 404 errors when browsing your site will result in a terrible user experience. Finding one 404 error can be enough to send a visitor packing. You may face high bounce rates if users leave your site after landing on a 404 page.
You might not be the one who wants to ruin his business and website traffic due to such silly mistakes. So, it is necessary to fix these error codes.
Tools to Find 404 Errors
Finding 404 errors on your website is the first step to managing them. Several tools can help you track down these pesky errors.
Google Search Console
This is a free tool from Google and helpful for webmasters. It provides insights into how your site is performing and alters you to any crawl errors including 404’s. It simply navigate to the coverage report where you can view all detected errors.
Screaming Frog
This desktop application crawls your website and provides a comprehensive overview of its structure, including any 404 errors. The tool allows you to filter out specific status codes, making it easy to spot issues.
Common Causes of 404 Errors
Understanding why 404 errors occur can help you prevent them in the future. Common causes include:
Deleted Pages: If you have removed content from your site without properly redirecting the old URL, users will hit a 404 error when trying to access that page.
Broken Links: internal or external links that point to deleted or moved content can create 404 errors.
Mistyped URLs: Simple human error can lead to users entering an incorrect URL, resulting in a 404 error.
How to Fix 404 Error?
Once you have examined all the links where a 404 error exists on your website. Now it’s high time to fix all the errors you have found.
Redirect the 404 Error
Redirecting users to another relevant page is the easiest way to fix a 404 error on your site. You can implement 301 redirect which is one of the most effective ways to handle a 404 error. This permanent redirect tells search engines and users that the requested page has been moved to a new collection. Here’s how to set up a 301 redirect:
Identify the Old URL: Use the tools mentioned earlier to locate the broken link.
Choose a New URL: Select a relevant page that provides similar content.
Set up the Redirect: You can set this up through your website’s CMS or by editing the .htaccess file if you are using Apache.
Updating Internal Links
Another way to fix 404 errors is by updating internal links. Ensure that any links on your site point to existing pages. This not only helps users navigate your site more easily but also ensures that search engines can crawl your site effectively.
Best Practices for 404 Error Pages
Create a User-Friendly 404 Page
A well-designed 404 error page can turn a frustrating experience into a positive one. Instead of leaving users feeling lost, a user-friendly 404 page can guide them back to valuable content.
Clear Message: Provide a clear and concise message that explains the 404 error and why the requested page is not available. Avoid using technical jargon and give a user-friendly explanation.
Navigation options: Include links to your homepage, popular articles, or a search bar to help users find what they’re looking for. Ensure that your 404 page’s design and branding are consistent with the rest of your website. This helps users recognize that they are still on your site, despite encountering errors.
Visual Appeal: Use engaging graphics or branding elements to keep the page aligned with your overall site design. You can add a touch of humor by adding any animatic character to lighten the mood of users and make the errors less frustrating.
Examples:
Copyhackers
Airbnb
GitHub
The Verdict
404 errors are a common yet manageable part of running a website. By understanding what they are, how to identify them, and the best practices for fixing and designing user-friendly error pages, you can significantly improve both user experience and SEO. For businesses involved in Chicago web design, addressing 404 errors effectively is key to maintaining a professional online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should i care about 404 errors?
404 errors can hurt user experience and negatively impact your site’s SEO. It’s essential to manage them to keep visitors engaged and improve your site’s search rankings.
2. How often should i check for 404 errors?
Regularly monitoring your site for 404 errors is advisable—consider checking monthly or after making significant updates to your content.
3. Can a 404 error affect my site’s ranking?
Yes, having too many 404 errors can indicate to search engines that your site is not well-maintained, potentially harming your rankings.
