What is a 404 error?

A 404 error is a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) status code that indicates that the page a user is trying to access does not exist on the server.

404 errors (aka not found errors) can happen for several reasons, such as:

  • The user entered the wrong URL.
  • The page has been moved or deleted.
  • The server is experiencing technical difficulties.

404 errors can be frustrating for users, and they can also hurt businesses and marketers. If a user lands on a 404 page on your website, they are likelier to leave and visit a competitor's website.

Why is it essential for you to be familiar with 404 errors?

There are a few reasons why business owners and marketers need to be familiar with 404 errors:

  • 404 errors can damage your brand reputation. If users land on 404 pages on your website, they may perceive your brand as unprofessional or unpolished.
  • 404 errors can lead to lost traffic and sales. If users cannot find the pages they are looking for on your website, they are likely to leave and go to a competitor's website.
  • 404 errors can make it difficult for search engines to index your website. Search engines may have difficulty indexing your website if you have a lot of 404 errors.

How to fix 404 errors

There are a few things you can do to fix 404 errors:

  • Check your website for broken links. You can use a website crawler to check your website for broken links.
  • Create custom 404 pages. Custom 404 pages can help improve the user experience by providing information about why they are seeing a 404 error and how they can find the information they are looking for.
  • Redirect users to relevant pages. If a page has been moved or deleted, you can redirect users to a relevant page on your website.

Conclusion

404 errors can be a problem for businesses and marketers, but you can do a few things to fix them. By following the tips above, you can reduce the number of 404 errors on your website and improve the user experience.