Imagine clicking a link expecting valuable content-only to land on a “Page Not Found” screen. Frustrating, right? That’s a 404 error, and it doesn’t just irritate users-it can also hurt your website’s reputation, SEO rankings, and conversions.
Let’s break down what 404 errors are, what causes them, and how to fix them effectively to keep your site smooth, professional, and user-friendly.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error (or “HTTP 404 Not Found”) is a standard response code that means the web page you tried to access doesn’t exist on the server.
In simpler terms-it’s the internet’s way of saying:
“Oops! The page you’re looking for can’t be found.”
These errors occur when the server is reachable, but the specific page or URL isn’t. Users may have clicked a broken link, mistyped a URL, or tried to visit a page that has been moved or deleted.
While occasional 404s are normal, a large number of them can signal deeper website management issues.
What are The Different Types of 404 Errors?
Not all 404 errors are the same. They come in a few forms depending on how and where they appear:
1. Soft 404 Errors
These occur when a page returns a “200 OK” status (meaning it looks normal to browsers) but displays a “Not Found” message to users.
- Example: A “Page not found” message appearing on an existing page without an actual 404 status code.
- Problem: Search engines might think this is valid content, causing indexing issues.
2. Hard 404 Errors
These are the standard “Page Not Found” messages-your typical 404 error where the server confirms that the page truly doesn’t exist.
3. Server 404 Errors
When a server is down, misconfigured, or overloaded, it may fail to find even existing pages, generating false 404s.
4. Broken Internal Link 404s
These happen when one page on your own website links to another page that’s missing or moved.
5. External 404 Errors
When another website links to your deleted or renamed page-creating a “dead” inbound link.
👉301 vs 404: How to Redirect Broken Links Properly for SEO
What Are Some Common Reasons for 404 Errors?
404 errors can occur for several reasons, and understanding them helps prevent them in the first place.
Here are some common causes:
- Deleted Pages or Content – When you remove pages, blog posts, or product listings without redirecting users to a new URL.
- URL Changes – Even small changes like uppercase/lowercase differences or missing hyphens can trigger 404s.
- Broken Internal Links – Internal links that lead to pages that no longer exist or were mistyped.
- Broken External Links – Outdated backlinks from other sites pointing to your removed pages.
- Moved Domain or Site Migration – When URLs change during redesigns or platform migrations without proper redirects.
- Incorrect URL Typing by Users – Simple typos by visitors entering the wrong URL.
- Plugin or Theme Conflicts (for CMS like WordPress) – Sometimes certain plugins interfere with URL structures.
- Expired or Outdated Sitemaps – Old XML sitemaps can lead crawlers to non-existent pages.
8 Simple Steps to Find and Fix 404 Errors
Here’s a step-by-step guide to identify and fix 404s effectively:
Step 1: Use Google Search Console
Go to the Coverage Report → “Errors” → look for “Submitted URL not found (404).”
You’ll see a list of missing pages Google tried to crawl.
Step 2: Use Online Tools
Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog can scan your entire site and find all 404 errors automatically.
Step 3: Check Analytics
In Google Analytics, go to Behavior → Site Content → All Pages and filter for “Page Title contains 404” to see how often users hit broken links.
Step 4: Redirect Old URLs
If the page has been moved or renamed, use a 301 redirect to guide users (and search engines) to the new page.
- Example: Redirect /old-page → /new-page
Step 5: Restore or Recreate Key Pages
If the deleted page had high traffic or backlinks, consider restoring it or recreating a similar version.
Step 6: Fix Broken Internal Links
Audit all internal links (menus, blogs, footers) and correct or remove ones leading to dead pages.
Step 7: Update Backlinks
If external websites are linking to missing pages, contact those webmasters and request an update.
Step 8: Customize Your 404 Page
Even with fixes, users might still land on a 404.
Design a user-friendly custom 404 page that:
- Offers a search bar
- Suggests related pages
- Links back to the homepage
- Uses friendly, human language like “Oops! That page flew the coop.”
This keeps visitors engaged instead of leaving your site.
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Why Fixing 404 Errors is Important?
You might wonder-why does this matter so much? Let’s look at the key reasons:
1. Improves User Experience
Broken pages frustrate users and increase bounce rates. A seamless experience encourages visitors to explore more pages-and possibly make a purchase or inquiry.
2. Boosts SEO Rankings
Google wants to serve high-quality, functional websites. Too many 404s can hurt your site’s credibility, crawl efficiency, and search engine rankings.
3. Preserves Link Equity
Every backlink to your site carries “link juice.” If those links lead to 404 pages, that SEO value is lost. Redirecting them preserves that authority.
4. Increases Conversions
Imagine losing customers because a product link leads nowhere! Fixing 404s ensures your visitors reach the right pages-improving conversions and sales.
5. Enhances Brand Reputation
A site full of broken pages looks unprofessional. Fixing 404s signals reliability and attention to detail-qualities that build trust in your brand.
6. Helps Search Engines Crawl Efficiently
Search engines use crawlers to index your site. Too many dead ends waste crawl budget, meaning important pages might not get indexed.
7. Reduces Bounce Rates
Users who land on 404 pages tend to exit immediately. Proper redirects help retain visitors and reduce bounce rates-an important ranking factor.
8. Supports Technical Health
Regularly checking for and fixing 404s helps maintain overall site health, prevents indexing errors, and ensures smoother performance.
📊 Fun Fact
Did you know?
According to a Semrush survey, over 35% of websites have at least one 404 error affecting user navigation-yet fixing them can improve average dwell time by up to 73%!
Conclusion
404 errors may seem minor, but they can quietly erode your website’s credibility, SEO, and user trust.
By finding and fixing these errors proactively-through audits, redirects, and custom 404 pages-you’ll ensure that every click leads somewhere valuable.
Think of it this way:
Every fixed 404 is one more chance to convert a lost visitor into a loyal customer.
So, start scanning, fixing, and optimizing-because small technical improvements can lead to big digital wins.
FAQs
1. Are 404 errors bad for SEO?
Yes. Frequent 404 errors waste crawl budget and harm user experience, indirectly impacting rankings.
2. What’s the best way to fix 404 errors?
Use 301 redirects to point users to relevant pages or recreate valuable deleted content.
3. Can I just ignore 404 errors?
Not advisable. Ignoring them can cause lost traffic, poor SEO performance, and reduced user trust.
4. How often should I check for 404 errors?
Monthly audits are ideal, especially for large or frequently updated websites.
5. What is a 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirection from one URL to another-it tells search engines the page has permanently moved.
6. Should I delete 404 pages?
No. Instead of deleting, either redirect them to relevant pages or customize the 404 page to keep users engaged.
