What is 404 Error and How to fix this issue

What is 404 Error

A 404 error is a standard HTTP status code that indicates the server could not find the requested webpage. When you encounter a error while browsing the web, it means that the server was able to be reached, but it could not locate the specific page or resource you were trying to access. This can happen for various reasons, such as a mistyped URL, a deleted page, a broken link, or a server misconfiguration.

What are the reason we getting 404 Error

There are several common reasons why you might encounter a 404 error while browsing the web:

1. Page or Resource Not Found: This is the most straightforward reason. The URL you’re trying to access doesn’t correspond to any valid page or resource on the server. It could be due to a mistyped URL, a deleted page, or a page that was moved without proper redirection.
2. Broken Links: If a website has internal or external links that are broken (i.e., they point to non-existent URLs), clicking on those links will result in a error.
3. Server Misconfiguration: Sometimes, the server handling the request is misconfigured. This can happen due to various reasons such as incorrect routing rules, permission issues, or faulty configuration files.
4. Expired Content: Content on the web can have an expiration date. If you try to access content that has expired or has been removed, you’ll receive a error.
5. Search Engine Indexing: Search engines may still have old URLs indexed even though the content has been removed or moved. Clicking on these indexed URLs can lead to errors.
6. Website Redesign or Restructuring: During website redesigns or restructuring, URLs may change. If old URLs are not properly redirected to new ones, users will encounter errors when trying to access the old URLs.

How to fix this issue

To fix 404 errors on a website, you can follow these steps:

1. Check the URL: Double-check the URL you are trying to access. Ensure that it is correctly spelled and formatted, including any slashes, dashes, or query parameters.
2. Update Links: If you control the website, review all internal and external links to ensure they point to valid pages. Fix any broken links by updating them to the correct URLs.
3. Implement Redirection: If a page has been moved or renamed, set up 301 redirects from the old URL to the new one. This tells both users and search engines that the page has permanently moved, preventing 404 errors.
4. Custom 404 Page: Create a custom 404 error page for your website. This page can provide helpful information to users who encounter a 404 error, such as suggesting alternative pages to visit or providing a search box.
5. Server Configuration: Check your server’s configuration files, such as .htaccess for Apache servers or web.config for IIS servers. Ensure that there are no issues with routing rules, file permissions, or error handling settings that could be causing 404 errors.
6. Monitor and Fix Indexing Issues: If search engines are indexing old URLs that result in 404 errors, use tools like Google Search Console to monitor indexing issues. Request the removal of outdated URLs or update them with the correct redirects.

Why should you fix 404 Errors?

Fixing 404 errors is important for several reasons:

1. User Experience: When users encounter a 404 error, it disrupts their browsing experience and can lead to frustration. By fixing 404 errors, you improve the overall user experience on your website, making it easier for visitors to find the content they are looking for.
2. SEO Impact: 404 errors can negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings. Search engines like Google may interpret frequent errors as a sign of poor website maintenance, which can lead to lower rankings in search results. Fixing errors helps maintain a healthy website structure and improves SEO performance.
3. Broken Links: 404 errors often result from broken links, either internally within your website or externally from other websites. Fixing these errors ensures that all links on your website are functional, preventing users from encountering dead ends.
4. Crawl Efficiency: Search engine crawlers regularly index websites to update their search results. When crawlers encounter errors, they may spend unnecessary time and resources trying to access non-existent pages. Fixing errors improves crawl efficiency and helps search engines better understand your website’s structure.
5. Brand Reputation: A website with frequent errors can give the impression of being poorly maintained or untrustworthy. Fixing these errors demonstrates your commitment to providing a reliable and user-friendly experience, which can positively impact your brand reputation.