A 404 error means a visitor tried to open a page on your website that doesn't exist. Instead of your actual page, they see an error message. The number 404 is a standard web status code that browsers and servers use to communicate "the page you asked for was not found."

Why do 404 errors happen?

The most common causes are:

  • A page was deleted or renamed and old links now point to the old address
  • A typo in the URL, either from the visitor or from a link on another site or social media profile
  • A link you shared somewhere was changed, such as a blog post, Google Business Profile, or printed materials that reference an old URL
  • An external site links to a page that no longer exists on your site

Is a 404 bad for my business?

An occasional 404 is normal and nothing to panic about. However, 404 errors that happen frequently can:

  • Frustrate visitors who can't find what they are looking for
  • Hurt your search engine rankings if Google finds many broken pages on your site
  • Make your business look less professional

The good news is that 404s are fixable, and WebEaze handles them as part of your plan.

What does WebEaze do about 404 errors?

Your WebEaze site includes a custom 404 page that is friendly and branded to your business. Instead of a generic browser error, visitors who hit a broken link will see a helpful page that directs them back to your homepage or contact page so they aren't just stranded.

If you suspect a page on your site has a broken link, or if a visitor reports that a page isn't working, send us a request and we'll investigate and fix it at no extra charge as part of your plan.

How do I find broken links on my site?

You don't need to manually check your site for broken links. If you notice one, or a visitor mentions one, let us know. We can also run a link audit if you suspect there are multiple broken URLs, especially after a site update or page rename.

What if I moved a page or changed its URL?

If a page's address changes, any old links pointing to it will create a 404 error. We can set up a redirect, which automatically sends visitors from the old URL to the new one. Redirects also help preserve any search engine rankings the old page had built up. Just let us know if a page was renamed or moved and we'll handle it.

Quick tip: Check your Google Business Profile, social media bios, and any marketing materials that link to your website. These are common sources of outdated links that cause 404 errors.
Report a Broken Link Other website errors explained