404 errors frustrate visitors and cost you the value of links. Keep an eye on them in Google Search Console and fix them with redirects. A good 404 page helps visitors find their way.
What does this mean in practice?
A 404 error is the 'page not found' message. You see it when you visit an address that doesn't exist, for example because a page has been removed, the URL has changed or a link contains a typo.
Why does this matter for your business?
404 errors frustrate visitors and make them leave. If other websites linked to that page, you also lose the SEO value of those links.
Examples and best practices
- Keep an eye on 404 errors in Google Search Console.
- Redirect deleted pages with a 301 redirect to the most suitable page.
- Create a friendly 404 page with a search function and useful links.
- Check your links after major changes to your website.
How we do it at Ikoon
An Ikoon website has a friendly 404 page that helps visitors find their way. If you're switching from an old website, we set up 301 redirects so nobody ends up on a dead end.