Guide to 404 Errors: Meaning, Causes and Fixes, Tips and FAQs

Key takeaways 

• A 404 error indicates that your browser cannot retrieve the requested page you typed into the address bar. 
• There are several causes for 404 errors, including restricted access pages, bad links, or mistyped URLs. 
• A custom 404 page can improve the user experience by directing them to a page with relevant information. 

404 errors are website diagnosis messages you’ll encounter daily on the world wide web. They can signify issues such as website configuration errors or a dead link. 

Ignoring these errors can lead to a slew of problems for your brand. For instance, having too many 404s on your site can indirectly lead to negative consequences to its ‘SEO health’. Furthermore, visitors will start mistrusting your brand, which can lead to losses in conversions and revenue. In short, it’s not a problem that you can set aside.   

In this article, we’ll examine a 404 error, learn how to fix it, and discuss the importance and benefits of custom 404 pages. 

What is 404 error?  

A ‘404 error not found’ is a standard HTTP status code that means the webpage you’re looking for doesn’t exist on the server. 

Think of it like using a search engine: if the search engine can’t find what you’re looking for, it shows no results. Similarly, when you type a web address into your browser, it looks for that specific page. If the page isn’t there, you get a 404 error. 

What are the common causes of 404 errors? 

Pay attention to these common reasons that lead to a 404 error: 

• The URL does not exist. A 404 error appears whenever you incorrectly type a website or domain name. The website isn’t accessible on the internet, which results in your browser displaying the error. 
• The resource is either moved or deleted. Web browsers look up a page based on the URL structure. So, whenever you move files to another folder or remove them from a webpage, the server returns a 404 error. 
• A misconfigured server. If you incorrectly set up your server settings, your website will display a 404 error. The 404 error page appears when the server is unable to handle or load the requested page. 
• Broken links. Visitors clicking site links get a “page does not exist” error when you have mistyped, incorrect, or outdated links. 
• Access restrictions. These can occur when a user attempts to access a secure resource. In this case, the server returns the error to prevent unauthorized resource access. 

Why should you fix them? 

Keep in mind these four important reasons why you should fix your 404s right away: 

1. Fixing 404 errors improves the user experience. You can keep visitors on your website by providing custom error pages with relevant links and context. 
2. Fixing website errors benefits your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engine crawlers don’t like broken pages, and neither do visitors. Improving user experience helps increase your search engine ranking. Something that comes naturally when you fix website errors. 
3. Website credibility is a huge factor in online success. A website with frequent errors loses credibility and trustworthiness. 
4. Regular website maintenance ensures that a website functions correctly. Checking for bad links and errors ensures your website works in a way that provides a great user experience. 

What tools can help address 404 errors? 

Whether you’re an expert or new to online business, it’s good to note the four core items of a successful website: 

• User experience 
• SEO 
• Credibility 
• Maintenance  

When fixing 404 errors, it’s equally important to use tools that lighten up the workload for efficiency. If you want to avoid 404 errors on your website without doing the manual work, here are tools available at your disposal:  

• Google Search Console. The tool lets you discover URLs causing problems and how to fix them.  
• Screaming Frog. This software scans your website and finds pages with 404 errors and helpful information like page titles and HTTP status codes.  
• SEMrush. It crawls your website, detects any errors, and provides a list of URLs that need your attention.  
• Other tools. Ahrefs, Moz, and Broken Link Checker to identify and resolve dead links.  
• Chrome extensions. Chrome extensions like Check My Links and LinkMiner provide a quick and easy way to test links. 

How to fix a 404 error? 

Aside from being frustrating, a 404 error can negatively impact the website’s credibility. However, you can resolve these errors if you know how to address the root issues. 

There are five options you can control from your end: 

1. Add custom error pages
2. Redirect the broke URL to a related URL 
3. Fix file permissions 
4. Disable the .htaccess file 
5. Restore website backup 

Let’s dive in with more details: 

1. Add custom error pages 

A custom error page is a good solution for a “404 not found” error. It should tell the user that the page they’re looking for is doesn’t exist and give them helpful options for where they can go next on the website.  

For example, a search bar or a navigation menu can help users find what they need and keep browsing without feeling annoyed. 

2. Redirect the broken URL to a related URL 

Another way to fix the “404 not found” error is to check your website for bad links. 

To prevent this from happening, you should regularly monitor your website for broken internal and external links and fix them as soon as possible. Adding a link that redirects any addresses stemming from user error, such as misspellings or incorrect top-level domains (TLDs), improves your website’s user experience and SEO ranking. 

3.Fix file permissions 

Incorrect file permissions can prevent the server from accessing the file or resource, resulting in a 404 error. To fix this, ensure the server can access the file or resource and return the requested content to the user. 

4. Disable the .htaccess file 

Disabling the .htaccess file is also recommended. The file contains directives that sometimes cause conflicts with the server, leading to the 404 error. Disabling it can temporarily help you identify what causes the error messages.  

It’s a good idea to double-check the file further and fix any problematic directives. By doing so, you find potential solutions for the same error and test other website issues that result in negative impressions. 

5. Restore website backup 

Restoring a website backup is a great way to fix 404 errors. First, find a backup from before the errors occurred. Then, restore the backup using your web hosting control panel or FTP client.  

Once you restore the backup, check your website carefully to ensure no 404 errors exist. 

Why does a custom 404 error page enhance the user experience? 

Finding a 404 error while browsing the web is outright frustrating. As a visitor, it wastes your time and probably affects your opinion of the website that returned the error. That’s where a custom 404 error page can resolve these issues. 

Here’s what you get from a personalized 404 webpage: 

• Reduces frustration: A customized page helps users understand they’ve hit a dead end, reducing confusion. 
• Keeps users engaged: Custom 404 pages can guide users back to functional parts of the site. 
• Strengthens brand identity: A well-designed page aligns with your website’s style and tone, reinforcing brand consistency. 
• Improves SEO: A custom page can include links to popular content, helping users discover more and signaling to search engines that you’re aware of the issue and are actively addressing it. 
• Adds a touch of humor or creativity: A playful or creative 404 page can turn a negative experience into a memorable and positive one. 

Tips for your 404 pages 

Custom error pages are great for addressing a poor user experience caused by missing pages. Here are some quick tips for creating a good 404 page: 

• Explain what happened and why the page is not available to website visitors. 
• Apologize for the inconvenience and show empathy for the user. 
• Provide a search function or a list of links to help users find what they want. 
• Use humor or creativity to make web pages like these more engaging and less boring. 
• Keep the design consistent with your website branding and style. 
• Track and analyze 404 errors to identify and fix a broken link or missing page. 

How does a 404 error affect your ranking and reputation? 

404 errors can damage a website’s SEO ranking and reputation in several ways:  

• They can reduce user experience and satisfaction, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversions.  
• They can affect the website’s crawl budget and indexation, making it harder for search engines to discover and rank the relevant pages.  
• They can harm a website’s authority and trustworthiness, especially if caused by dead or broken links or outdated content.  

Leverage Network Solutions to create a custom 404 page 

The 404 error is more than a popular joke; it indicates a significant issue you shouldn’t overlook. Ignoring it could lead to more severe consequences, such as losing traffic or Google ranking position. Diagnose and fix the problem promptly to ensure a smooth user experience.  

Creating an engaging custom 404 error page can help turn a frustrating experience into a positive one. Use humor or creative visuals to entertain users while providing helpful links to navigate to other relevant pages. This can lead to improved user engagement and even a positive reputation for your website. 

Network Solutions can assist you in maintaining a well-functioning website, which can lead to increased traffic, better user engagement, and a positive brand reputation.

Frequently asked questions