What Is a 404 Error and How to Fix It to Safeguard Your SEO

Every website owner has encountered a dreaded 404 error at some point. You stumble onto a broken link, and instead of finding the content you were expecting, you face that doom-laden "404 Page Not Found" message.

But what is a 404 error, and why does it matter for your website's performance and SEO? Most importantly, how can you fix and prevent these errors to keep your visitors happy and your rankings intact?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about 404 errors, their impact on your website, and actionable ways to fix them.

What Does a 404 Error Mean?

Simply put, a 404 error is an HTTP status code that signals the webpage a user is trying to access doesn’t exist on the server. This means the server can’t find the page requested by the user’s browser. It could be caused by several reasons, including:

• The URL was typed incorrectly or has a typo.
• The page was deleted or moved to a new location without setting up a proper redirect to point users to the new address.
• The link is broken, outdated, or no longer functional.
• Sometimes, the server itself is misconfigured, leading to the error.

This error can confuse users and potentially harm the experience they have on your site, making it important to address broken links and properly manage your web pages.

What Does a 404 Page Typically Look Like?

A 404 error page can differ widely depending on how a website chooses to design it. While some sites use the default, text-only error message provided by the server, many customize their 404 pages to align with their branding and maintain user engagement.

Here are some common elements you might encounter on a 404 page:

• A clear message like "404 Page Not Found," "Oops, this page doesn’t exist," or "We couldn’t find what you were looking for."
• Visual branding or playful, humorous designs to make the error less frustrating. Some sites even use mascots or animations to lighten the mood.
• A search bar or navigation links help users quickly find the information or page they need.
• Links to key sections of the website, such as the homepage or help center, to guide users back on track.

Custom 404 error pages are crucial for improving user experience. Instead of frustrating visitors, a well-designed 404 page can redirect them to valuable content, keeping them engaged and preventing them from leaving your site altogether.

How to Design a User-Friendly 404 Page?

Creating a user-friendly 404 page requires a thoughtful approach to ensure it aligns with your website's branding while helping users find their way. Here are some key tips for designing an effective 404 page:

• ‍Use Clear Messaging: Clearly inform visitors that the page they are looking for cannot be found. Avoid technical jargon, and use simple, friendly language that reassures users.‍
• Maintain Consistent Branding: Incorporate your website's visual style, including colors, fonts, and logos, so users know they are still on your site and not lost in cyberspace.‍
• Provide Helpful Navigation Options: Include links to the homepage, popular sections, or a search bar to help users quickly locate the content they need.‍
• Add a Touch of Humor or Creativity: Lighten the situation with humor, illustrations, or clever animations. A touch of creativity not only softens the blow but can also leave a lasting, positive impression.‍
• Include a Call-to-Action: Suggest actions for users to take next, such as visiting specific articles or exploring services, to keep them engaged.

Here is an example -

An effective 404 page does more than acknowledge an error—it acts as a guide, redirecting users to relevant content and improving their overall experience.

‘Hard’ 404 Errors vs. ‘Soft’ 404 Errors

404 errors can be categorized into two main types, which are important to understand when troubleshooting website issues:

• Hard 404 errors occur when the server confirms that the requested page does not exist and sends a proper 404 error code to the browser. For example, if a user types in an outdated URL or clicks on a broken link, the server will return the "not found" message to both the user and search engines.
• Soft 404 errors happen when a webpage shows a "not found" message to users, but the server incorrectly sends a "200 OK" status code to search engine crawlers. This means the page is treated as if it exists, even though it doesn’t, which can confuse search engines and potentially harm your website’s SEO.

Image Source: Prerender

Understanding the difference between hard and soft 404 errors is essential for proper website maintenance. Hard 404 errors need to be addressed by fixing broken links or setting up redirects, while soft 404 errors require a server-side fix to ensure the correct status code is sent to search engines.

By proactively managing 404 errors and creating user-friendly 404 pages, you can reduce the negative impact on both user experience and search engine performance. These small but important adjustments can make a big difference in how visitors perceive and navigate your website.

How 404 Errors Affect Your SEO?

1. Impact on User Experience

Search engines prioritize websites that provide seamless navigation and a positive user experience. When users frequently encounter 404 errors, they’re likely to leave the site in frustration, which can lead to a higher bounce rate and reduced engagement. Frustrated users may also be less likely to return, impacting your long-term traffic.

Studies show that most users form an opinion of a website in just 0.05 seconds, meaning issues like broken links can erode trust almost instantly. A high number of broken links not only frustrates users but can also damage the overall perception of your website's professionalism and reliability.

2. Crawling and Indexing Problems

Search engine bots, like Googlebot, depend on a well-structured website to crawl and index pages efficiently. Too many 404 error pages can disrupt this process by wasting your website's crawl budget—essentially, the number of pages a search engine bot is allotted to crawl on your site.

If the bots encounter too many dead ends, important pages might not get indexed, reducing their visibility in search results. Unindexed pages = lower visibility, which directly impacts your site's ability to attract organic traffic. Ensuring proper redirects and fixing broken links helps search engines navigate your site more effectively and ensures that your content reaches your target audience.

3. Negative Signals for Rankings

Broken links don’t just hurt your usability—they can also harm your site's SEO performance. When search engines repeatedly find 404 errors on your website, it can signal poor maintenance or a lack of reliability. Over time, this could lead to negative SEO signals that push your site lower in search rankings.

Search engines aim to provide users with the best results, so if your site is riddled with broken links, it may be seen as less trustworthy or authoritative. Fixing these issues promptly is critical for maintaining strong rankings and preserving your site's reputation.

How to Identify a 404 Error on Your Website?

Before you start fixing 404 errors, you need to find them. These errors, which occur when a user tries to visit a page that doesn’t exist, can harm your website’s user experience and SEO if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools and strategies to help you pinpoint broken URLs and address them effectively.

1. Use Google Search Console

Google Search Console is one of the best free tools for identifying 404 errors on your website. Simply log in, head to the Coverage section, and look under the “Not Found” category to find a detailed list of URLs leading to 404 errors.

The tool also provides insights into when these errors were first detected, making it easier to prioritize fixes. Additionally, you can use the URL Inspection tool to check specific pages and see if they are returning errors.

2. Leverage Website Crawling Tools

Premium tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, and SEMrush are excellent for running thorough site audits. These tools crawl your entire website and identify broken links across your pages, including internal and external links. They often provide a detailed report listing all problematic URLs, their location on your site, and recommended fixes, which is especially helpful when managing larger websites with hundreds or thousands of pages.

3. Monitor Server Logs

Accessing your server logs is a technical but invaluable way to track down 404 errors. Server logs record every request made to your website, including attempts to access unavailable pages. By analyzing these logs, you can identify patterns in broken link activity and even determine whether bots or real users are encountering the errors. This method is particularly useful for catching hidden issues that automated tools might miss.

4. Track User Behavior

Analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, can also help uncover the impact of 404 errors on user experience. By tracking metrics like high bounce rates, exit pages, or user journeys that abruptly end, you can pinpoint broken links that frustrate visitors. For example, if you notice a high drop-off rate on a key landing page, it could indicate a broken link or missing content that needs immediate attention.

Image Source: Twitter

Do All 404 Errors Need Fixing?

Not necessarily. While some 404 errors are critical and harm your website’s performance, others are minor and don’t require urgent action. Understanding which errors to address and which to leave alone is key to optimizing your time and resources.

404 Errors You Can Ignore

• Broken URLs Caused by External Links: If another website links to your site incorrectly, it’s outside your control. While you can try reaching out to the webmaster to correct the issue, these errors won’t significantly impact your site’s performance.
• Old or Retired Pages With No Value: If you’ve removed outdated content that no longer adds value to your audience, the occasional 404 error caused by these pages isn’t a major concern. Instead, consider creating a custom 404 page to provide helpful navigation options for users who land there.

Critical 404 Errors Needing Attention

• Broken Links on High-Traffic Landing Pages: These errors can frustrate users, causing them to leave your site and impacting your conversion rates and SEO rankings. Fixing these should be a top priority.
• Errors Affecting Critical Site Functionality: If 404 errors occur on essential pages like checkout or registration forms, they can disrupt your business operations and lead to lost revenue. Address these immediately to maintain usability.
• URLs Targeted in Active Ad Campaigns: If you’re running paid ads that lead users to broken pages, you’re wasting your advertising budget and damaging brand trust. Ensure all campaign URLs are functional and provide a seamless user experience.

Fixing 404 errors is an ongoing process that improves your website’s credibility, user satisfaction, and performance. With the tools and strategies outlined here, you’ll be better equipped to identify, prioritize, and resolve these issues effectively.

Fixing 404 Errors for Better Website Performance

• ‍Redirect Broken URLs: Redirect users from broken links to the next most relevant page using 301 redirects. This ensures visitors and search engines still find value on your site.
• ‍Fix Typos and Mislinked URLs: Review internal links for accuracy. Even a small typo in a URL can result in a 404 error.
• ‍Restore Deleted or Moved Pages: If a high-performing page was removed by mistake, restoring it with its old content can quickly resolve the issue.
• ‍Use a Custom 404 Page to Retain Visitors: Create a branded 404 error page that guides users back to functional parts of your website. Include - A friendly apology, Clear navigation options and A search bar for convenience.‍
• Regularly Optimize Your Website Architecture: Structure your website with clear, intuitive URLs, and keep them consistent when updating pages. A well-organized website reduces the likelihood of links breaking down.
• ‍Update Internal Links or Navigation Menus: Ensure that all internal links and navigation menus are updated after making changes to your website’s structure or content. Broken or outdated links can frustrate users and harm your search engine rankings. Regularly check and maintain your navigation menus to ensure they reflect the most current pages and resources.‍
• Configure the .htaccess File: The .htaccess file is a powerful tool that allows you to control website functionality and permissions. Use it to set up 301 redirects for moved content, block bad bots, or customize error pages. Always back up your .htaccess file before making edits, as incorrect configurations can lead to site issues.‍
• Fix File permissions: Improper file permissions can leave your website vulnerable to security threats or cause functionality errors. Ensure that directories and files have the correct permissions (e.g., 755 for directories and 644 for files) to maintain a balance between security and usability. Avoid giving unnecessary write access to users to reduce risks.‍
• Disable Plugins and Themes: If your website is experiencing performance issues or errors, consider disabling plugins and themes temporarily. Outdated or incompatible plugins and themes often cause conflicts. Troubleshoot by reactivating them one by one to identify the problematic element, and ensure everything is kept up to date for optimal performance.‍
• Check the Domain and DNS Settings: Problems with the domain and DNS settings can prevent users from accessing your website. Regularly verify that your domain points to the correct IP address and ensure that DNS records, such as A, CNAME, and MX records, are configured properly. These checks help avoid downtime and ensure uninterrupted site accessibility.

Prevent 404 Errors from Recurring

1. Conduct Regular Website Audits

Set a routine to check for 404 errors and other issues that can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or other website audit software to identify broken links, redirect chains, or missing pages. Quarterly audits are a good starting point, but depending on the size and complexity of your site, you may want to perform them monthly. Regular maintenance ensures your website remains healthy, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.

2. Monitor Changes to Your Site

Whenever you edit, delete, or move content, it’s crucial to test and verify URLs to make sure no paths break. Even a small change can result in broken links that frustrate users and harm your SEO.

Always use 301 redirects when moving content to preserve link equity and maintain a seamless user experience. Keeping a log of changes to your site can also help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise later.

3. Educate Your Team

Training your team on URL best practices is essential for preventing errors. Whether it’s your marketing team, content creators, or developers, make sure everyone understands the importance of maintaining clean, functional URLs.

For example, highlight the need for descriptive, SEO-friendly URLs and the dangers of making URL changes without proper redirects. A collaborative approach, paired with clear communication, will help reduce the risk of errors and ensure everyone works toward keeping your website in top shape.

Boost Your Website’s Performance With DashClicks' SEO Services

DashClicks' white label SEO service can play a vital role in enhancing your website's performance by ensuring all URL structures are optimized for search engines. Their team of experts specializes in creating SEO-friendly URLs, managing redirects, and resolving technical issues that could harm your site’s rankings.

With the best white label SEO company, you’ll benefit from strategic insights and hands-on support, ensuring your website adheres to best practices while improving visibility and driving organic traffic. This comprehensive approach helps to minimize the risk of errors and keeps your site running smoothly.

Keep Website Health in Check

404 errors don’t just harm your website; they can frustrate users and reduce SEO performance. Fortunately, identifying and fixing broken links is more straightforward than it seems. Armed with the right tools and strategies, you can maintain a robust, user-friendly website that retains rankings and visitors alike.

Start by auditing your website for hidden 404 errors today. A cleaner, more efficient website is just a few clicks away!