What is a 404 Page

How frustrating it is when you are searching for something online only to encounter a 404 error message. This problem is magnified particularly in cases where you have no idea what is causing the issue and how you can fix it. But there is no need to worry because there is a solution as the 404 error is probably one of the most common issues you are likely to encounter.   

What are 404 Errors?

Simply put if you get a 404 error code it tells you that there is a problem with the webpage you are trying to access. On the screen there will generally be a message that says 404 error page not found which informs the user that the page no longer exists. 

In simple terms, this is an HTTP status code indicating that the requested webpage is not found on the server. This could be due to a broader issue with the hosting provider or misconfigured domain name system (DNS) settings.

Even though they have been around since people first started using the internet more recently 404 error pages have been a more common occurrence along with pages that display information directing the user to an alternative webpage. 

How do I find 404 Pages on my Website?

Even though encountering a 404 error page when you are searching the internet can be irritating, it is much more annoying when it comes up on your own website. Not only does a good website drive essential traffic to your organisation, but it will typically contain important information about it, such as the services you offer and all contact details such as phone numbers and e-mail addresses. This is the reason why it can have a detrimental effect on your business if users cannot access the information they are looking for. 

Because 404 errors are relatively commonplace when it comes to websites, there is a good chance that you will be faced with this problem at some point when you are creating a website. The first thing you need to do when fixing them is use a tool that can help you find the broken page on your website. A lot of people make use of google’s own search console for this. 

For instance, many users access Google Search Console by signing into their account and navigating to ‘Crawl Errors’ under the ‘Diagnostics’ section to identify all the 404 pages on their website. Selecting the ‘Not Found’ tab will display the links that return a 404 error code.

If you find yourself with numerous 404 error pages you will be required to click on each URL in turn to check out all the broken links which will make it easier to find the links that need fixing, irrespective of where your website has been created. 

Why is it important to remove 404 Errors?

One of the main reasons to resolve 404 errors is that they will make the user experience extremely difficult. When this happens user satisfaction diminishes, which in turn could put them off using your website again. If you solve the problem, using your website will become more enjoyable which promotes confidence in it among users. 

There will also be an improvement in technical SEO because search engines like Google come down hard on websites that have a number of 404 errors or broken links. When you fix the issue it will assist in driving traffic back to the website, because when a 404 error crops up users won’t see it in the search results. 

 Additionally, a 404 error page can impact your site’s bounce rate, which refers to the percentage of visitors who leave without exploring other pages. Since bounce rate is closely tied to customer retention, a 404 error can significantly increase it, especially if the broken link was the one that initially brought the visitor to your site.

How to Fix 404 Errors

If you are searching the web and find an http 404 you could be forgiven for wondering what you need to do. Well the first thing you need to do is work out how to fix it. The first thing to do is restart your browser, you do this by closing the window and opening up a new one. The next step is clear your cache as this will remove your browser data and history. If the 404 error continues to crop up, check that there are no typos in the URL just to make sure the incorrect website hasn’t been inserted into the search bar.  

It is also worth trying another device to check whether or not you can access the website you are looking for on another web browser. If there isn’t a 404 error message when you use this method go back to the first device and clear the cache and cookies and then try to access the page again.  In addition, you can use the incognito window, which does not keep track of your cache or cookies.

If you’ve tried all the suggested solutions but the 404 error still appears, it may be necessary to contact the website administrator. They will be able to confirm whether the page still exists or if it has been moved to a different URL. It could even be that the website owner is not even aware of the issue, so reporting it could help them fix a problem they hadn’t even noticed. 

If the 404 errors are occurring on a website you manage, it’s just as important to address them. A variety of  tools can be used to help identify both internal and external broken links. Simply enter the URL of the site or specific pages you want to check, and a scanning tool will generate a list of error pages along with their status codes and URLs.

To stay on top of 404 errors, it’s essential to monitor external links regularly to ensure there are no broken connections. Conducting routine 404 error audits using tools like Google Search Console can help detect issues early. If the problem persists, your site may have a deeper technical issue. In that case, you might need to review your DNS settings, check file permissions, disable the .htaccess code, or restore a backup file to resolve the error.

What Happens if you Redirect 404 Error?

In a lot of cases when a 404 error occurs you can fix it by undertaking a domain redirect. This automatically directs users from the original webpage to the new updated one. It is essential that you understand there are a variety of different redirects such as 301 redirects, http redirects, 302 redirects and HTML redirects. 

An HTML redirect will send a user to a new site once a period of time has elapsed. This type of redirect usually involves the user receiving a message informing them that the site has moved and they are being redirected. 

Alternatively, 301 redirects are used when a site moves to a new domain, spelling mistakes occur frequently with your URL, or to distinguish www from non-www versions of a site. This type of redirect is ideal if your old site experienced a large amount of incoming traffic which you would like to recreate on the new site. Traffic is also likely to be retained with this method as you are able to redirect users to more updated versions that still bear resemblances to the old pages which generates a feeling of familiarity.  

Additionally, 302 redirects are used for temporary situations, like when you are rebuilding your website. A 302 can be used to notify your users that the page is temporarily unavailable as renovations and updates are underway.

How Long Does a 404 Error Last?

Once you have correctly identified it and you have taken the action needed to fix it a 404 error typically lasts for around 24 hours. The reason for this is that the domain may still be processing and it can take anything up to 24 hours for the DNS to resolve. 

When the pages that are missing or your website is new it may well take about 7 days for Google to begin crawling or indexing a new page or site. Another thing to take note of is that if problems are not fixed right away anyone visiting the site will continue to see the message until you resolve the issue.  

Why do I get a 404 Error on Google?

A 404 error on Google can occur for several reasons, including a mistyped URL, a page that has been removed, unpublished, or relocated by the website owner, or a server-related issue. If you encounter a 404 error while searching on Google, the problem might also stem from your browser settings or extensions, which may need to be adjusted before attempting another search.