A 404 error, also known as "404 Not Found", is an HTTP status code indicating that the server you are trying to reach cannot find the requested resource. This error occurs when you request a page or document that does not exist on the server.
How does a 404 error work?
When you enter a URL in your browser, your browser sends a request to the server hosting the desired website. If the server cannot find the specific page or resource the request refers to, it responds with a "404 Not Found" status code. This code informs you that the requested page does not exist on the server.
Examples of causes of 404 errors
- Wrong URL: A common cause of 404 errors is that the user has entered an incorrect URL. Even a small typo can lead to a 404 error.
- Deleted pages: If a page has been removed from the website without being properly redirected, users trying to access the old URL will encounter a 404 error.
- Broken links: Links pointing to pages that no longer exist result in 404 errors, also known as "dead links" or "broken links".
Why are 404 errors important?
- User experience: Frequent 404 errors can frustrate users and cause them to leave your site, which can affect your site's credibility and user satisfaction.
- SEO: Search engines like Google take 404 errors into account when evaluating your site's quality. Too many 404 errors can hurt your ranking in search results.
- Troubleshooting: Identifying and fixing 404 errors can help improve both the user experience and the search engine optimization of your site.
How do you handle 404 errors?
To minimize the impact of 404 errors, you should implement custom 404 error pages that help users find the information they are looking for. Additionally, you can set up 301 redirects to guide users from old, non-existent URLs to new, relevant pages.