A broken link causes a 404 error page. Often, this negative experience affects the user's journey. Avoid having 404 error pages on your website when possible. Even though many website owners try their best to keep visitors from seeing their site's 404 error, it remains one of the most common web page response codes.
Ready to discover the 404 response code, why, and how it occurs? Learn how to use a 404's negative experience with a custom landing page to your advantage. A well-designed 404 error message can work wonders for your business and lead to new sales opportunities.
Read on to discover how you can reclaim your site's 404 error pages and convert them into leads and sales.
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A 404 error page is an error message that is displayed when someone tries to access a web page that doesn't exist. Your site visitors will see a 404 page error message if the URL is incorrect or missing. The server generates this HTTP response when users need help finding a page.
A 404 page is a part of the 4xx HTTP Status code, which is returned when a client request error occurs. Learn about all 4xx HTTP Status Codes here.
When you type in a web address and hit enter, you tell your browser to connect to a web server and request a web page. However, if the browser can’t find the requested resource, it will show a 404 error not found. This error means the web server can’t locate the page you are looking for, so it can’t load it. If you encounter a 404 error, you may need to recheck your URL or contact the webmaster to let them know there is a problem.
There are many potential causes for a 404 error.
1. One of the most common is a moved or deleted webpage. This can happen when parts of a website have been updated, but the broken link has not been fixed.
2. Mistyping the URL in the browser's address bar can also result in a 404 error, as can DNS issues where the domain is either propagating or has been pointed to the wrong DNS address.
3. Incorrect browser caching can cause a 404 error when the browser displays the error page instead of the actual content.
4. A missing asset such as an image, JavaScript, or CSS file can also result in a 404 error.
5. Server configuration issues or URL rewriting problems that prevent the server from locating the correct file path.
No matter the browser, a 404 error can occur and will be displayed as an error code. Fixing these errors to provide the best user experience on your website is essential.
A 404 status code can be terrible for SEO, losing page rank and search engine visibility. However, this doesn’t mean all 404 pages are bad for SEO. You can use your 404 error pages to your advantage.
One way to take advantage of a 404 error message from Google is to use it to improve your website by identifying broken links, missing pages, and other issues. Using the error message to analyze the problem can help you identify opportunities for improvement and create a better website experience for users.
You can also use the 404 error message to inform your SEO strategy. For example, it can help you determine which pages are not indexed by Google, identify potential crawl errors, and identify which pages need more content optimization. The 404 error message can provide insights into what keywords are used to search for your website, helping you better align your SEO strategy to target the correct search terms.
Your visitors will have one of two different intentions when they land on your 404 page.
1. They may want to find the content they want within the same session.
2. They may want to go back and try again later.
The "immediate" group consists of people who already know what they are looking for and need to get there quickly. The "later" group is browsing through the site and clicks on a link that no longer works or is mistyped.
To find out which group your visitors belong to, look at the referring URLs for these users. Suppose most users come from search engines like Google but click on broken or nofollow links from other sites like Facebook or Pinterest.
In that case, you should assume that these users fall into the latter category. You need to offer them value beyond just getting them back to where they came from initially.
Typically, a 404 status code will only be seen once by each visitor. Thus, you want to ensure that your error pages resolve the problem and provide users with a positive experience.
Suppose the user searched for how to care for an animal and landed on your 404 page instead. Use this opportunity to help them with their specific animal care needs by providing links to related articles or videos.
Alternatively, if you have an email sign-up form on your website or blog, you can also include it. It is likely that these visitors already have some interest in your site and its content. See section: Examples of custom 404 pages to win leads for more.
The key here is to provide value beyond just getting them back to where they were when they first arrived at the site—you want them to come back again!
It's time to double-check that the pages are easy to navigate based on user experience (UX).
You can link directly to a specific page or add links to other website pages. Adding a sitemap on your website facilitates website search and can help users find exact pages. If there is no way for people to find a particular page, they will never know that it exists. Learn how to create your sitemap here.
As you can see, UX design goes far beyond simple aesthetics and functionality. UX is also about how you can use your website strategically to help you achieve your business goals.
Once you have implemented your updated 404 page, it is time to track the results. Ideally, you want to track which groups of users often land on these 404 error messages.
If most users are coming from search engine referrals and clicking on broken links from other sites, focus more on providing value to these visitors through helpful content or sign-up forms.
If most users are coming from internal links and clicking on broken links from your site or blog, add some additional internal linking throughout the site to better guide visitors around your website.
Either way, tracking the results of your new error pages will help ensure that they are being used in an optimal manner that helps support your business objectives.
Unresolved 404 errors significantly impact your website's performance across multiple dimensions. Search engines like Google allocate a limited crawl budget to each site, and when bots encounter broken pages, they waste valuable resources crawling non-existent content instead of discovering your actual pages.
Each 404 error represents lost link equity that could have strengthened your site's authority. When high-quality external sites link to your missing pages, that valuable ranking power dissipates instead of boosting your search visibility. Internal links pointing to broken pages create dead ends that prevent both users and search engine crawlers from discovering deeper content.
From a user experience perspective, 404 errors increase bounce rates by an average of 67% according to recent industry studies. Visitors who encounter broken pages are three times more likely to abandon your site entirely and develop negative brand associations that persist even after return visits.
Monitor these key performance indicators to measure the impact of your 404 error fixes:
i. Crawl error count in Google Search Console
ii. Average session duration for users who encounter 404 pages
iii. Conversion rates on pages with previously broken internal links
iv. Page discovery rate for new content published after fixing structural issues
If you see an HTTP error 404 on your website, broken links likely caused the error. Make sure all links lead to the correct page.
Search Console allows you to monitor and optimize your website for Google searches. Search Console's ability to help you find and fix 404 errors is one of its key features.
Many 404 status codes on your website can negatively affect your website's visibility and ranking on Google. It can also cause your website's visitors to leave your website.
Fortunately, Search Console can help you find and fix error codes like 404 on your website. In the Console's 'Index' section, head to the 'Pages' tab. On top, you will see all the indexed pages v/s the pages that were not indexed.
If you scroll down, you will find a list of all errors causing indexation issues. You will see a list of all pages returning 404 errors by clicking on it. Check and diagnose these pages. Check if Googlebot can access the pages once you have fixed them on GSC.
It is important to note that 404s do not always mean a page is missing. There could be other reasons for a 404 error, such as a page being moved or deleted. If you see multiple errors marked as 404 on your website, investigate and fix them using the above methods.
Since Universal Analytics was discontinued in July 2023, tracking 404 errors now requires Google Analytics 4 setup. Unlike the previous version, GA4 doesn't automatically track 404 errors, so you'll need to configure custom tracking.
Setting Up 404 Tracking in GA4:
i. Configure Custom Event Tracking: Set up a custom event that triggers when users land on your 404 page. This can be done through Google Tag Manager or by adding tracking code to your 404 page template.
ii. Create a Custom Dimension: In GA4, create a custom dimension to capture the referring page or source that led to the 404 error.
iii. View 404 Data: Once configured, you can view 404 data by going to Reports > Engagement > Events and filtering for your custom 404 event.
iv. Analyze Traffic Sources: Use the custom dimensions to understand which sources (internal links, external referrers, direct traffic) are generating the most 404 errors.
Alternative Approach: If technical setup is challenging, consider using server log analysis or third-party tools to track 404 errors more comprehensively."
Tracking 404 Errors in GA4 requires custom setup:
i. Set up custom event tracking for your 404 page through Google Tag Manager or custom code
ii. Navigate to Reports > Engagement > Events to view your custom 404 events
iii. Create custom reports using GA4's Exploration feature to analyze 404 patterns by source, page, or user behavior
iv. Use the configured custom events to understand which pages or referral sources generate the most 404 errors
Note: Unlike Universal Analytics, GA4 doesn't have built-in 404 tracking, so proper setup is essential for accurate monitoring.
Google tools are not the only way to find and fix broken links on your site. You can also use third-party solutions. Broken link detection tools crawl your website and provide a list of all broken links.
1. Open Site Explorer is a free tool by Moz that lets you see which sites are linking to your website. You can also use the tool to find broken links on your site and get information about the linking site, such as their Page Authority and Trust Flow.
2. Screaming Frog helps you find broken links, redirects, and other errors on your website. You can export a list of all broken links and then use the Repair Broken Links tool to fix them.
Once you've found the broken links, you can fix them. In addition, a new page or content will need to be created for the broken link. Broken links can negatively affect your SEO if they remain on your site.
Start by looking for pages without content or that are deleted. You may encounter such an issue if you link to a page that does not exist. Alternatively, if you link to an image or media file that does not exist, replace deleted pages or media files with their closest matching URLs. Replace the old links on the site with new ones.
i. Verify URL Accuracy: Double-check the URL for typos, extra spaces, or incorrect capitalization. Test the URL in an incognito window to rule out browser cache issues.
ii. Test Server Response: Use cURL commands or browser developer tools (F12 > Network tab) to examine the exact HTTP status code and response headers returned by the server.
iii. Review CMS Permalink Settings: For WordPress, check Settings > Permalinks and flush rewrite rules. In Joomla, verify Global Configuration > SEO settings. For Drupal, examine URL alias patterns in Configuration > URL aliases.
iv. Examine Server Configuration: Check .htaccess file for incorrect redirect rules or RewriteEngine directives. Verify web server configuration (Apache/Nginx) for proper document root and virtual host settings.
v. Implement 301 Redirects: Set up permanent redirects from broken URLs to relevant existing pages using .htaccess, plugin solutions, or server-level configuration.
vi. Update Internal and External Links: Replace broken links in your content, navigation menus, and sitemaps. Contact external sites linking to your broken pages when possible.
vii. Request Re-crawl: Use Google Search Console's URL Inspection tool to request indexing of fixed pages and validate that Googlebot can access them successfully.
viii. Validate Fix: Monitor GA4 error reports, server log files, and Search Console coverage reports to confirm the 404 errors have been resolved and aren't returning.
If you have an online presence, you must ensure all your web pages are up and working correctly. 404 errors can occur when users try to visit a page that no longer exists or is not found. To ensure your website is running smoothly and attracting visitors, it’s essential to check regularly for 404 errors.
How often should you check for these errors? It depends on the size of your website. For smaller sites with fewer than 50 pages, checking for 404 errors every month is probably sufficient. However, checking for 404 errors every week or every other day is recommended for larger sites. This way, you can quickly identify and fix any issues and keep your website running smoothly and efficiently.
A 404 error code on your website can be extremely frustrating and confusing. Fortunately, there are some best practices you can follow to help fix this issue. By following these best practices, you can ensure your website is up and running while avoiding the time and effort of manually troubleshooting the error code.
1. Redirect the 404 error: The most straightforward way to fix a 404 error is to redirect the page to another relevant and up-to-date page. This ensures visitors don't leave your site due to the error and can still find what they want with minimal interruption.
2. Restore the page: If a page has been deleted, but there is still demand for it, you can restore it to its original state. This is an easy way to ensure visitors still access the content they need without creating a whole new page.
3. Correct the link: If incorrect links exist on your website, you can easily edit the link to point to the appropriate URL. This is a great way to ensure visitors get to where they need to go without doing much extra work. However, if the link appears on an external website, you won't be able to fix it.
4. Create a custom 404 page: If visitors land on a page that doesn't exist, they will be presented with a 404 page. This page should be customized to be informative and helpful, with links to other relevant pages or resources so they can quickly find the information they need.
If you see a lot of 404 errors, it's essential to prioritize your efforts. Any major pages, such as product, contact, and service pages with 404 errors, should be fixed as soon as possible to ensure a better user experience. You may also find 404 errors on pages that won't impact your rankings too much, and those should be fixed eventually, but it's not as urgent. Using Google Search Console to uncover the 404 errors can help with this. With some quick action, you can be sure your visitors won't be left in the dark with their search.
A custom 404 page is the best way to tell users that their search didn't work and encourage them to try again or use another source. Some ways n which a custom 404 page can benefit your website include:
1. Present a Consistent Brand Image
With an original 404 page, you can show off your brand personality while delivering a consistent message. Additionally, it will let visitors know they are still on your site and not on a blocked server.
2. Turn a Lost Cause into an Opportunity
With the right 404 page, you can prevent the loss of those conversions and turn an unpleasant experience into something people will remember. Engage users on 404 pages with clever copy and engaging tactics.
3. Increase Leads and Conversions
Convert visitors to customers with your 404 page. If people land on your 404 page, offer them a discount or an opt-in offer. You could alternatively provide an email or contact form so that they can get in touch for assistance.
Some content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, auto-generate a 404 page for broken links. The HTTP 404 page is a standard error message, but it can customize using specialized CMS extensions.
Your CMS may not allow you to alter your 404 response page without a developer. You can create an error page in such a case by following these steps:
1. In the root directory, make an error page ('404.html' or '404.php')
2. Open the .htaccess file by typing in 'ErrorDocument 404 /404.html' and hit save. With this code, it will generate an error page.
3. If it worked, try accessing an unavailable webpage to see if the browser displays the error 404 message.
You lose potential leads and sales by not having a custom 404 page. With the right strategy, however, you can convert those 404 error messages into lead-generation opportunities that benefit you and your sales team in more ways than one.
Using the 404 pages to engage your visitors and offer them a solution, you can turn these negative experiences into positive ones. Here are five things your 404 page can display in addition to an error message.
1. Add a search bar so people can still find what they're searching.
Users receive a 404 Page error when they cannot see a specific page. A search bar is the best quick fix for this problem.
Are you looking for something specific? Use the search bar to find internal pages instead. WordPress is an excellent example of the same.
WordPress' 404 page has more than a search bar, links to useful pages, and a call to action button.
Even if the exact page the user is searching for does not exist, a search bar can generate the closest match and help users find something that still satisfies their search intent.
It will ensure that users do not bounce off your website and instead remain on your domain to interact with another page.
2. Add a quirky message and own up to your fault.
Usually, 404 pages only have a 'Page Not Found error message. Instead, you can add content that acknowledges your fault and keeps the user engaged. See how Marvel.com does it.
Another way to turn a 404-page interesting is by offering a reward. Say a gift card, free demo, or free one-month trial of your service.
A reward highlights two things. One, it can be an internal company rule to display as few 404 errors as possible. In addition, if a user finds a 404 message, they get rewarded instead of being frustrated.
See the example of Land's End turning a 404 page into a lead gen magnet using rewards.
3. Use the 404 page to promote your latest blog post or product.
As mentioned, a 404 page can be something other than a dead end. Instead, it can be a route to redirect users to a page that you would want your ideal customers to see. You could display various options or a catalog of your services like Adobe.
Add links to a new blog that discusses how your service benefits the users and encourages them to sign up for a demo. You could also link to a collection of the most frequently ordered products.
Simply adding links to these pages will not help. Adding an enticing copy or an image will encourage users to click and be redirected to the desired page. See how HubSpot uses copy to add multiple helpful links.
4. Show a video
Video adds more appeal than an image. Thus, instead of having a static 404 page, try adding a video message or using GIFs.
Purée Maison is a creative agency specializing in communication strategy. Its website and the 404 page are full of delightful animations. See how:
5. Leave a Long lasting impression
Your 404 pages should not be dead ends. Even if you cannot turn them into a lead-gen source, they are a great way to keep users engaged.
Perhaps it is so fun that users type in the wrong URL to enjoy what your 404 page offers. See how Wendy's does the same by adding a game on its 404 error page.
Your custom 404 page should seamlessly integrate with your brand identity while maintaining functionality. Use your established color palette, typography hierarchy, and visual style guidelines to ensure visitors recognize they're still within your brand ecosystem. The tone of voice should align with your overall brand personality—whether professional, playful, or somewhere in between.
Design your 404 page with accessibility at the forefront. Ensure sufficient color contrast ratios (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text), include alt text for images, and maintain keyboard navigation functionality. The page must be fully responsive across all device sizes, with touch-friendly button sizing on mobile devices.
Strategic placement of elements maximizes engagement. Position your primary call-to-action button above the fold, include a prominent search bar near the top, and provide clear navigation links to key sections of your site. Place secondary actions like newsletter signups or social media links lower on the page to avoid overwhelming visitors.
i. Best Practice Do's: Keep error messages helpful and human, include your logo for brand continuity, offer multiple navigation paths, use consistent button styling, and maintain fast loading speeds.
ii. Critical Don'ts: Avoid generic error text, don't hide navigation elements, never use broken links on the error page itself, don't make the page feel like a dead end, and resist cluttering the design with too many options.
Having a website that runs seamlessly is essential to a great user experience and, driving sales & generating leads. Unfortunately, no matter how well-maintained your website is, 404 error pages are inevitable. A broken link or a missing page could result in lost traffic and potential customers.
While this type of error may be negatively viewed in terms of SEO, there are ways to reclaim 404 pages and fix the error. It can be done using third-party tools, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics.
Fortunately, there are several ways to turn your 404 pages into sales-manufacturing machines. You can add a search box on your 404 page to help users find what they’re looking for, create lead magnets to collect emails, offer coupons, or direct users to your products.
Storytelling can also effectively leave a good impression on visitors, even if they’re on a 404 page. You can use your 404 page to showcase your brand’s values and stand out.
All these measures make it possible to turn a negative experience into a potential business opportunity.
A 404 response code is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server could not find the requested page or file. This code is often seen when a page has been moved or deleted or when a URL was mistyped.
The main causes of a 404 error are a mistyped URL, a broken or incorrectly linked page, an outdated or deleted page, or an issue with the server hosting the page. Additionally, this error can be caused by an incorrectly configured .htaccess file or a permission issue.
The first step in fixing a 404 error message is identifying the issue's source. The URL should be updated if the requested page or file was moved or deleted. If the URL was mistyped, the correct URL should be entered. It may also be necessary to clear the browser cache, delete cookies, and refresh the page.
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