Have you ever clicked a link hoping to find something helpful, only to be greeted with a message like "404 Page Not Found"? Well, that is a 404 error. This is one of the most common errors on the internet. Although it's harmless, it can cause a lot of damage to a website. 

In this blog, we will explain what a 404 error is, why it's essential for a website (especially regarding SEO (Search Engine Optimization)), and, beyond all else, how to discover and correct it. We will be intentionally simple so everyone can understand and take action in their own way.

What is error 404?

A 404 error is a type of HTTP error. It generally means the web page you're attempting to access does not exist on the web server.

Common Causes of 404 Errors:

• Deleted Pages- Content was deleted, and it no longer exists.
• Changed URLs- The page has experienced an address change, but the old link was not redirected.
• Broken or Outdated Links- Another website links to an outdated document (or your site links to documentation).
• User Typos- Someone may have mistyped a web address.

Example 404 Messages:

• "404 Page Not Found"
• "Error 404 - Not Found"
• "The requested URL was not found on this server."

Some websites will also create custom 404 pages that allow users to search for content or have a more inviting message.

Why do we get a 404 error?

If you think of a 404 error as a small problem, it can affect the performance of your website if it is not fixed. Here's how:

1. User Experience: Users will be frustrated when they expect to see a webpage and instead land on a broken page. They may leave your site immediately, which raises your bounce rate (a measurement of the number of people who leave without interacting with the site). A negative experience can cause users to distrust your website.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Search engines like Google have bots that crawl your website and index its pages. If bots find a significant amount of dead links:

• They might crawl your site improperly.
• You may lose indexed pages (indexed pages are listed in search results).
• Your site may be ranked lower in search results due to many poor peaks.

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1. Loss of Traffic: A page that had previously been highly ranked on search engines and now returns a 404 error, people will not have access to it. This means fewer visitors and potential customers. 
2. Wasted Backlinks: Backlinks are links from other websites to your pages. If those links point to a 404 page, you waste valuable SEO juice and referral traffic.

How to Find 404 Errors on Your Website

Before making the necessary repairs, you'll need to locate 404 errors. Here are some tools and methods:

1. Google Search Console: This free tool from Google will show you which pages have returned 404 errors. They will be found in the "Coverage" section.
2. Website Crawlers: There are several tools, like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush, that will crawl your website and track broken links.
3. Google Analytics (Custom 404 Tracking): With a bit of setup, you can track the number of visitors landing on your 404 pages and find out where they came from.
4. Manual Checking: Review your pages and check the links if your website is small. This is time-consuming but will work.

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How to Fix 404 Error

Now that you've identified the errors let's examine how to correct them:

1. 301 Redirects: A 301 indicates to your browsers and search engines that a page has permanently changed. This is the best way to redirect traffic from a deleted or altered URL to another (new page) URL. Designating a 301 redirect from the old page to the new means almost all of the SEO value of the original URL will be passed to the new URL.

Example: Redirect /old-page to /new-page.

2. Restoring the Missing Page: If there was a page that had been deleted (whether on purpose or by accident) or if it was helpful content, consider restoring it. Just ensure that the content is still applicable when you restore it.
3. Fixing Broken Links: If you or other sites are linking to a missing page:

• Ensure you update any internal pages linking to that page to remove the links.
• Contact any external sites linking to that page and request they update their link (if you have the time and want to do it).

4. Creating a Custom 404 Page: Creating a custom 404 page does not fix the missing page error, but hopefully, it helps retain users so they do not bounce. In a custom 404 page, you can prevent your user from hitting the back button and leaving your site. You can add helpful links, search bars, or helpful messages to where to go since the page is "missing."

Bonus Tip: How to redirect the 404 error page to the homepage in HTML

If you want to redirect all 404 errors to your homepage using HTML and JavaScript, you can add the following code to your custom 404 page:

<script>

window.location.href = "/";

</script>

This simple script automatically redirects users to your homepage when they encounter a 404 error. It's a quick fix, but ideally, you should address broken links directly.

Best Practices to Avoid 404 Errors

Here are some preventative means for a 404 error:

1. Keep URLs Consistent: don't change them unless you have a valid reason.
2. Avoid Unnecessary URL Changes: if possible, avoid changing the naming of your pages and URL structures.
3. Regular Site Audits: monthly audits using tools and crawlers to see broken pages.
4. Track and Update Backlinks: there are tools to find if people are linking to you while holding the accountability to check the original link to see if it doesn't work.
5. Keep your CMS (content management systems) and plugins updated: outdated software too seldom creates broken pages.

What to include in a Custom 404 page

A decent 404 page can keep user frustration to a minimum. Below is a list of things you should consider putting on your 404 page:

1) Friendly, Human Message: No tech jargon.

Example: South Carolina also owns the actual original, "Oops! Sorry! That page no longer exists!"

2) Search Bar: Help users find what they are seeking.

3) Helpful Links: Home, Contact or a Blog or Popular Posts.

4) Navigation Menu: So users can keep browsing your site.

5) Fun Graphics or Humor: Help a user smile.

6) CTA (call to action): Ask a user to sign up for your newsletter or check out your latest content.

Conclusion

Four hundred-four errors happen. There's no need to stress, but unresolved 404 errors can affect your SEO, traffic, and reputation. Make it a regular practice to check for and fix 404 errors. If you have the right tools and plan and are willing to work, you'll ensure visitors find whatever they want.

If that feels overwhelming, hire a web developer or SEO expert to help you manage the process, especially if it's someone who can respond when the topic is hot. Good maintenance leads to better website performance, rankings, and happy visitors.