How to Troubleshoot a 404 Error

A common cause of a 404 error is a broken URL link.

Receiving a 404 error stating "Page not found" might not only be frustrating for your website visitors, it could also be the single factor that causes your visitors to leave and never return. Understanding how to get rid of a 404 error is the first step in understanding what they are, what causes them, how to get rid them and how to use the error to keep your visitors browsing your website in the future.

Instructions

1. Check to make sure you entered the URL correctly, including possible misspellings, mistyped URLS and syntax errors.

2. Check to make sure the URL exists or that the URL link isn't broken. Websites and blogs constantly change. If you are the site owner, review your site's files to determine if you've removed, renamed or restructured pages that would cause the 404 error. If you're a surfer, it's possible the website or page no longer exists or the URL has changed. Visit the site's home page and perform a site search to find the page or contact the site's owner for assistance.

3. Refresh your browser. It's possible the URL isn't appearing in your browser because the site or page is down for maintenance or upgrades. Close the page and try again later. If you're the owner of the website you can also contact your web hosting company directly to determine if the problem exists on their end.

4. Download a 404 notifier plugin or widget to add to your website or blog. A 404 notifier is a program that notifies the site owner when a URL generates an error page. Once notified, the site owner can investigate the matter and troubleshoot the issue. Conduct a key word search on a search engine to find a notifier to download and install onto your website or blog. Use keywords and phrases similar to "404 notifier" and "404 widget" to find an appropriate plugin or widget that's appropriate for your site or blog. Download and install the notifier according to the developer's instructions.

5. If you are the site owner, create a 301 redirect page for the 404 error. A redirect page automatically transports the web surfer to an alternative page in place of the page generating the 404 error message.

6. Create a custom 404 page to direct the surfer to other links available on your website. You can also add a search engine box allowing the surfer to conduct his own search of your site and redirect themselves. This is a better option than landing on a page reading "Page not found." Be as creative as you'd like to keep the surfer's attention and encourage them to stay on your site or return.

References

• 404 Error Pages.com: Overview
• Wordpress.org: Creating an error 404 page