How to Fix 404 Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

404 errors on your website can be frustrating. They upset both you and your visitors. The problem occurs when a page cannot be found on your server. This can happen in a number of ways, such as a broken link, an incorrect URL, or a deleted page. Fortunately, fixing a 404 error is fairly easy. In the following guide, we will show you step-by-step how to detect and fix 404 errors on your website.

What is a 404 Error?

A 404 error is an HTTP status code indicating that the server could not find the requested page. When a visitor tries to access a page that doesn’t exist or was removed, they see a 404 error message. This problem can harm user experience and SEO. It’s important to fix it quickly.

Why Should You Fix 404 Errors?

• Improves User Experience: Visitors who see a 404 error might leave your site. This can reduce your traffic.
• Boosts SEO: Search engines like Google penalize sites with many 404 errors. This can lower your site’s ranking.
• Reduces desired traffic: Broken links can lead to lost traffic. This is especially important for sales or product pages.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Problem

1. Identify the Source of the 404 Error

   • Google Search Console: Use Google Search Console to identify pages returning 404 errors. Navigate to the “Coverage” report, where you’ll see a list of URLs with errors.
   • Analytics Tools: Use tools like Google Analytics to track 404 errors. You can set up a custom report or alert for ‘Page Not Found’ events.

2. Redirect the Broken URL

   • If the page has been moved or deleted, set up a 301 redirect to guide users to the correct page. This can be done using a plugin (like Redirection for WordPress) or by editing your .htaccess file.
   • Example: Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://www.yourwebsite.com/new-page/

3. Restore the Missing Page

   • If the page was accidentally deleted and is still relevant, consider restoring it. And if you have a backup of your site, restore the missing contents.

4. Update Internal Links

   • Ensure that all internal links on your website point to the correct URLs. Broken internal links can lead to 404 errors and disrupt the flow of your website.

5. Submit the Updated URL to Google

   • After fixing the issue, submit the updated URL to Google through the Search Console. This will prompt Google to recrawl the page and update its index.

6. Create a Custom 404 Page

   • Even with all precautions, some users may still encounter 404 errors. A custom 404 page can help users by guiding them to other parts of your site. It can offer a search bar or suggest related content.

Preventing 404 Errors in the Future

• Monitor Your Site Regularly: Check your site regularly with tools like Google Search Console. This helps you find 404 errors early before they become a bigger issue.
• Use a Link Checker: Link checkers can find broken links on your website. This lets you fix them quickly.
• Keep a Backup: Regular backups make it easy to restore any missing pages on your website.

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Conclusion

Fixing 404 errors is important. It keeps your users happy and helps your SEO. Follow the steps above to find and fix these issues quickly. This will help your visitors have a smooth experience on your site. Prevention is as important as fixing errors. Regularly monitor and update your site to avoid future problems.