In today’s digital world, it’s no surprise that website errors happen. Unfortunately, this includes 404 page errors. What is a 404 page error? Simply put, it’s when a website visitor tries to access a page on your website, but the page doesn’t exist.
So what to do when you encounter this kind of error in your blog? Let’s find some answers to the following questions:
- What is a 404 page error?
- What causes these page errors?
- Should you redirect a 404 page error?
- If yes, why should you redirect them?
- What is the best way to handle a 404 page error?
- How to create a 404 error page in HTML?
- How to check if a 404 error page exists on your website?
What Are 404 Page Errors?
A 404 error is a frustrating experience for any visitor. It is when a visitor reaches your website and sees a “page not found” error. It can be caused by many things, but the most common culprit is outdated or missing content. If you are experiencing a high number of 404 page errors, it might be time to take a look at your website and see what needs to be updated.
Websites that experience more 404 page errors tend to have lower website conversion rates. This is because website visitors who are experiencing 404 page errors are more likely to leave your website and look for a website that can better meet their needs.
What Causes 404 Page Errors?
404 pages are error pages, and they can appear for a number of reasons.
- If a user enters a bad URL or the site has moved, then this error code may appear.
- Another reason for this error code might be that the content on the page has been removed.
- If a search engine has removed the content, this might also display a 404 error.
- Another cause for 404 pages could be the user’s internet. If the user has an internet connection issue, the page might not load or fail to load.
- If the user is using a mobile device and the site is not optimized for mobile, then the page may fail to load as well.
404 pages are caused by many things, so it’s important to check the user’s connection and the URL and make sure that the content that they are trying to view isn’t removed.
So, should you redirect a 404 page error?
Should You Redirect a 404 Page Error?
In general, it is a good idea to redirect 404 page errors. This will help visitors find the page that they are looking for faster, and it will also keep your website more accessible.
Here are some factors to consider when making this decision:
- Does the page have a specific title that you can use to direct users to the correct page?
- Is the page the correct domain?
- Does the page have any metadata (search engine keywords, etc)?
- Does the page have a canonical link?
Reasons for Redirecting 404 Page Errors
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to improve your website’s overall performance and conversion rate. And here are other reasons why you should redirect a 404 page error:
It will improve your website’s performance.
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to speed up your website’s loading time. This is because the visitor will now be redirected to the correct page instead of being shown the 404 error page.
It will help to reduce the number of lost website visitors.
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to reduce the number of website visitors who leave your website due to a lack of content or navigation.
It will improve your website’s visibility.
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. This is because search engines will now index the correct page.
It will reduce the number of customer support calls.
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to reduce the number of customer support calls that are related to your website.
It will improve your website’s brand reputation.
Redirecting a 404 page error will help to improve your website’s reputation among potential customers.
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What Is the Best Way to Handle 404 Page Errors in Your Blogs?
There are a few different options you have when it comes to handling 404 page errors in your blog. You can:
- Remove the page entirely.
- Add a redirect to the home page.
- Add a redirect to the main page.
- Redirect to a content page.
How to Create a 404 Error Page in HTML?
To create a 404 error page in HTML, you will need to create a file called 404.html in your website’s root directory. Within this file, you will need to include the following information:
- A title for the page.
- The URL of the page that the visitor is trying to access.
- A message that tells the visitor why the page cannot be found.
See examples of clever 404 error pages from real websites.
How to Check If a 404 Error Page Exists on Your Website?
To check if a 404 error page exists on your website, you will need to access your website’s root directory and look for a file called 404.html. If you find this file, it means that a 404 error page exists on your website.
404 Page Errors? Don’t Panic!
Redirecting a 404 page error is a good way to improve your website’s performance and conversion rate. If you are experiencing more of these errors on your website, it’s definitely worth taking action and redirecting them.
404 page errors can be a frustrating experience for website owners. Make sure you are taking the necessary steps to address them in a foolproof way. So if you need any assistance in creating or handling this type of page error, there is no need to panic. Newman Web Solutions is here to help! Contact our Atlanta marketing team at (404) 301-9189 and you’re on your way to improving your presence online.
