When users try to access a page that doesn’t exist on your website, they’ll often encounter a “404 Not Found” message. But what exactly does 404 mean? In short, 404 is an HTTP status code indicating that the server was successfully contacted, but the requested page couldn’t be found. For online businesses, this error can disrupt the user experience and even affect SEO. Here’s a closer look at what causes 404 errors and how to resolve them.

Table Of Contents

Why Does 404 Not Found Appear on a Website?
How 404 Errors Affect SEO and User Experience
How to Fix 404 Not Found Errors on Your Website
Improving Website Quality by Managing 404 Errors

Why Does 404 Not Found Appear on a Website?

There are a few common reasons for the 404 not found error to show up:

Incorrectly Typed URLs
Sometimes users may type the URL incorrectly, which results in a page that can’t be found.
Deleted Pages Without Redirects
If you’ve removed a page or content without setting up a redirect, users attempting to visit the old URL will run into a 404 error.
Website Structure Changes Without Updating Internal Links
Changing your site structure or URLs without updating internal links can lead to 404 errors on pages still linked to the old URLs.

Errors like these are quite common, but if left unchecked, they can damage your website’s reputation, especially when it comes to SEO and user experience.

How 404 Errors Affect SEO and User Experience

Beyond just frustrating visitors, too many 404 errors can negatively impact your website’s SEO. Google considers user experience a major factor in its ranking algorithms, so sites with frequent “404 Not Found” pages may lose credibility in search engine results.

Additionally, these errors can lead to higher bounce rates, meaning users are leaving your website after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate signals to Google that your site may lack relevance or fail to meet visitor expectations. The more “missing” or error-filled pages, the greater the risk of your search rankings declining.

How to Fix 404 Not Found Errors on Your Website

To avoid the downsides of 404 errors, there are several effective solutions:

Redirect Pages
If you’ve deleted a specific page, set up a 301 redirect to a similar or relevant page. This helps guide users to live pages so they don’t encounter a 404 error.
Update Internal Links
Regularly check your internal links to ensure they’re not leading to nonexistent pages. Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to locate broken links and update or remove links that direct users to pages that no longer exist.
Create a User-Friendly 404 Page
If a 404 error is unavoidable, make sure your 404 page is welcoming and informative. Design a 404 page that includes navigation options to help visitors find their way back to the homepage or related content. A user-friendly 404 page can improve user experience and keep visitors on your site.

Improving Website Quality by Managing 404 Errors

While they may seem minor, 404 errors can significantly impact user experience and your website’s SEO rankings. By fixing HTTP 404 errors quickly and efficiently, you can maintain a professional image and provide a smoother experience for your visitors.

If you need help resolving 404 errors on your website or want to enhance your overall user experience, Noethera Studio is here to assist. We offer website optimization services that include error management, SEO enhancements, and content management. Reach out to Noethera Studio to ensure your site remains error-free and user-friendly!