How to Eliminate 404 Errors on Your Blog
What is a 404 error?
As your website grows and evolves, it is common to make changes to certain pages or even delete them altogether.
However, if this process is not handled properly, it can result in 404 errors on your site. In the context of WordPress, a 404 error occurs when a user tries to visit a broken or non-existent web page.
Having too many 404 errors on your website can have a negative impact on your search engine rankings.
Search engines like Google prioritize websites that provide a seamless user experience, and encountering numerous broken links can signal poor website maintenance.
Why are 404 errors a problem?
When a user encounters a 404 error, it means that the page they are trying to access cannot be found.
This can be frustrating for visitors and may lead to a poor user experience.
Additionally, search engines may interpret a high number of 404 errors as a sign of an outdated or poorly maintained website, which can negatively affect your search engine rankings.
How to identify and fix 404 errors
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to identify and fix 404 errors on your website:
Regularly monitor your website
It is important to regularly monitor your website for any broken links or missing pages.
There are various tools available, such as Google Search Console, that can help you identify 404 errors on your site. These tools provide a list of URLs that return a 404 status code, allowing you to pinpoint the problematic pages.
Redirect or update broken links
Once you have identified the pages with 404 errors, you have two options: redirect or update the broken links.
If the page has been moved or renamed, you can create a redirect from the old URL to the new one. This ensures that users who click on old links are automatically redirected to the correct page. WordPress offers plugins like “Redirection” that make it easy to set up and manage redirects.
If the page no longer exists or is no longer relevant, you can update the broken links by removing them or replacing them with relevant content. This helps to improve the overall user experience and prevents visitors from encountering dead ends.
Customize your 404 error page
Instead of displaying a generic 404 error page, you can create a custom page that provides helpful information and guides users back to relevant content on your site.
This can include a search bar, a list of popular pages, or links to different categories. By providing alternative options, you can help users navigate your site even if they encounter a broken link.
Update your sitemap
A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website, helping search engines navigate and index your content.
When you delete or change pages, it is important to update your sitemap accordingly. This helps search engines understand the changes and prevents them from indexing non-existent pages.
Check for external broken links
In addition to monitoring your own website, it is also important to check for broken links from external sources.
If other websites are linking to pages on your site that no longer exist, you can reach out to the website owner and request that they update the link. Alternatively, you can create a redirect to a relevant page on your site.
Conclusion
404 errors can be detrimental to your website’s user experience and search engine rankings.
By regularly monitoring your site, redirecting or updating broken links, customizing your 404 error page, updating your sitemap, and checking for external broken links, you can effectively eliminate 404 errors and provide a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.