P0Issue #5
404 issues
❓ What does it mean?
🚫 404 Issues
What does it mean?
A 404 error occurs when a page is requested but not found on the server. This happens when:
A page is deleted without a redirect.
Internal or external links point to a wrong/removed URL.
Typos in URLs exist in menus, sitemaps, or backlinks.
🚨 Why is it important for SEO?
Why is it important for SEO?
Bad User Experience → Visitors land on broken pages instead of content.
Crawl Waste → Search engines spend time crawling dead links instead of real content.
Lost Rankings → Pages with backlinks returning 404 lose SEO equity.
Increased Bounce Rate → Users quickly leave if they hit error pages.
✅ How to Fix It
✅ How to Fix It
Redirect important 404 pages → Use 301 redirects to relevant working pages.
Update internal links → Fix broken links in menus, blog posts, or product listings.
Submit updated sitemaps → Remove non-existing URLs.
Custom 404 Page → Provide a user-friendly page with navigation back to home/products.
Monitor regularly → Use tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to detect 404s.
❌ Bad Example
📌 Example
❌ Bad (404 Issue):
A website removed its /summer-sale page but didn’t update links.
https://example.com/summer-sale → 404 Not Found
Users coming from Google or ads land on a dead page.
SEO equity from backlinks to this URL is lost.
✅ Good Example
✅ Good (Fixed):
Set up a 301 redirect to the relevant page:
https://example.com/summer-sale → 301 → https://example.com/offers
Users seamlessly land on the offers page.
SEO value from backlinks is preserved.
Bounce rate decreases, improving engagement.
⚡ Result
⚡ Result
Better crawl efficiency (no wasted resources on broken pages).
Preserved link equity and rankings.
Improved user experience and conversions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 404 error?
A 404 error occurs when a requested page is not found on the server, often due to deletion or incorrect URLs.
How do 404 errors impact SEO?
They lead to poor user experience, wasted crawl budget, lost rankings, and increased bounce rates, all of which can negatively affect SEO.
How can I fix 404 errors on my website?
You can fix them by setting up 301 redirects, updating internal links, submitting updated sitemaps, and creating custom 404 pages.
What is a 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another, which helps preserve SEO equity when pages are moved or deleted.
How can I monitor for 404 errors?
You can use tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to regularly check for and identify 404 errors on your website.