How to fix 404 pages? 404 pages are an inevitable part of any website. They occur when a user tries to access a page that does not exist on the server. These pages can be frustrating for users, and they can also negatively impact a website’s search engine rankings. However, with proper management, a 404 page can be turned into an opportunity to enhance user experience, build trust, and maintain website traffic.
In this blog, we will discuss how to find and fix your 404 pages to ensure your website is always user-friendly and optimized for search engines.
Table of Contents
- Part 1: Identifying your 404 pages
- Google search console
- Website analytics
- Broken link checkers
- Google search console
- Part 2: Fixing your 404 pages
- Redirect to a similar page
- Create a custom 404 page
- Remove the page and update the links
- Redirect to a similar page
- Best practices for 404 pages
- Keep it simple and clear
- Provide navigation options
- Use humour and personality
- Monitor your 404 pages
- Don’t use soft 404s
- Conclusion
Part 1: Identifying Your 404 Pages
Before you can start fixing your 404 pages, you need to know where they are. There are several ways to identify 404 pages on your website, including:
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google that allows website owners to monitor and maintain their website’s presence in Google search results. One of the features of this tool is the ability to identify and monitor 404 errors on your website. To use this feature, simply navigate to the Coverage report in Google Search Console, and look for any pages that have a 404 error status.
Website Analytics
Website analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, can also be used to identify 404 pages on your website. To do this, navigate to the Behavior section in Google Analytics, and select the Site Content > All Pages report. Look for any pages that have a high number of page views but a high bounce rate. This could indicate that users are landing on a 404 page and quickly leaving your website.
Broken Link Checkers
Broken link checkers are third-party tools that can crawl your website and identify any broken links, including 404 pages. Some popular broken link checkers include Broken Link Checker and Dead Link Checker.
Part 2: Fixing Your 404 Pages
Once you have identified your 404 pages, it’s time to start fixing them. Here are some tips for fixing your 404 pages:
Redirect to a Similar Page
One of the easiest ways to fix a 404 page is to redirect the user to a similar page on your website. For example, if a user is trying to access a product page that no longer exists, you can redirect them to a similar product page or category page. This will help keep the user on your website and reduce the likelihood of them leaving due to frustration.
Create a Custom 404 Page
A custom 404 page can be a great way to turn a frustrating user experience into a positive one. Instead of displaying a generic error message, you can create a custom page that apologizes for the error and provides the user with helpful information or links.
This can include links to popular pages, a search bar, or a contact form. By providing the user with helpful information, you can increase the likelihood of them staying on your website and finding what they need.
Remove the Page and Update the Links
If a page no longer exists and there is no suitable replacement, it may be best to simply remove the page and update any links pointing to it. This will ensure that users do not continue to encounter the 404 error and will also help improve your website’s search engine rankings.
Fix Broken Links
If the 404 error is caused by a broken link, the best course of action is to fix the link. This can be done by updating the link to the correct URL or by removing the link altogether. By fixing broken links, you can ensure that users can easily navigate your website and find the information they need.
Part 3: Best Practices for 404 Pages
In addition to fixing your 404 pages, there are several best practices that you should follow to ensure that your 404 pages are user-friendly and optimized for search engines. +
Here are some best practices for 404 pages:
Keep it Simple and Clear
When creating a custom 404 page, it’s important to keep it simple and clear. Make sure that the error message is easy to understand and provides the user with helpful information. Use clear and concise language and avoid technical jargon that the average user may not understand.
Provide Navigation Options
A custom 404 page should provide users with navigation options to help them find the information they need. This can include links to popular pages, a search bar, or a site map. By providing navigation options, you can increase the likelihood of users staying on your website and finding what they need.
Use Humor and Personality
A custom 404 page can be a great opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and inject some humor into the user experience. However, it’s important to make sure that the humor is appropriate and does not come across as insensitive or offensive.
Monitor Your 404 Pages
It’s important to monitor your 404 pages on a regular basis to ensure that they are not negatively impacting your website’s search engine rankings or user experience. Use tools like Google Search Console or website analytics to monitor your 404 pages and fix any issues that arise.
Don’t Use Soft 404s
A soft 404 is a page that returns a 200 status code (which indicates that the page is found) but still displays an error message to the user. Soft 404s can be confusing for users and can negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings. If a page does not exist, it should return a 404 status code to indicate that the page is not found.
Conclusion
404 pages are a normal part of any website, but they can negatively impact your website’s user experience and search engine rankings if not managed properly. By identifying and fixing your 404 pages, you can ensure that users are able to easily navigate your website and find the information they need.
Additionally, by following best practices for 404 pages, you can turn a frustrating user experience into a positive one and showcase your brand’s personality. Remember to regularly monitor your 404 pages to ensure that they are not negatively impacting your website’s performance.
For more blogs, visit: https://blog.hostingshouse.com/
Add comment