The presence of numerous 404 pages in your client’s Google Search Console indicates broken links on their website, potentially affecting user experience and SEO. To tackle this, follow these steps:
1. Identify the 404 Pages:
- In Google Search Console, navigate to the “Crawl” section and then “Errors.”
- Focus on the “404 Not Found” errors. This list will show the specific URLs causing the 404 issues.
2. Analyze the Cause:
- Broken Links: Check if the URLs point to pages that no longer exist on the website. This could be due to page removal, URL changes, or outdated content.
- Typos or Misspellings: Verify if the URLs have typos, incorrect capitalization, or misspellings.
- Redirections: Explore if the 404 pages should be redirected to other relevant pages on the website.
3. Implement Solutions:
- Fix Broken Links: Update the links on the website to point to the correct URLs or remove them if the content is no longer available.
- Correct Typos and Misspellings: Fix any errors in the URLs.
- Implement Redirects: Set up 301 redirects from the broken URLs to the corresponding pages. 301 redirects tell search engines that the content has permanently moved, preserving SEO value.
- Create Custom 404 Pages: Design a user-friendly 404 page that offers alternative navigation options and potentially suggests relevant content to keep visitors engaged.
4. Monitor and Revisit:
- After implementing fixes, monitor the Google Search Console for any new 404 errors. Regularly review the list and address any recurring issues.
Remember, addressing 404 errors is crucial for a healthy website. By fixing broken links and implementing proper redirection strategies, you can enhance user experience, improve SEO, and ensure that visitors find the information they seek on your client’s website.