Websites often need a redesign down the road to refresh branding, improve user experience, and optimize the site for modern architecture. However, one of the common technical risks during a website redesign is the occurrence of 404 errors. A 404 error occurs when a user attempts to visit a web page that no longer exists or the URL has changed, and there is no redirect in place.
These errors tend to be more common during a redesign due to the significant changes taking place. From URL structure changes to content deletion and merging, all it takes is a simple oversight for a 404 error to come into being. This is why it is so vital to proactively monitor and test user experience and SEO throughout the redesign process.
Fortunately, with the right monitoring and attention during a website redesign, these errors can often be avoided. At least for the most part. Continue reading below to learn how to monitor for 404 errors after a website redesign.
The Sources of a 404 Error Code
A 404 error code can come about during a website redesign in a few common ways. These include:
- Deleted or Merged Content: Throughout the redesign, some outdated content may be deleted or reconsolidated to streamline the site. This means some URLs could be removed without proper redirects.
- URL Structure Changes: A redesign will often include reorganizing content or navigation flow. This could include changing page locations, altering URL format, or grouping into different categories. Without the correct redirects, users will stumble onto error pages.
- Not Updating Internal Links: When URL changes are made, internal links need to be revised to direct to the correct location. Otherwise, a series of broken link paths can result.
- External Links to Old URLs: Backlinks from external websites to old URLs can be another source of a 404 error code. If there are high sources of traffic from certain external sites, these need to be updated with the proper links as well.
- Production and Process Oversights: Then, there is just the circumstance of mistakes happening throughout the redesign process. This can include mistakes like missing the correct URL mappings, not carrying over files correctly, not syncing content, and more. However, these can often be avoided when a QA process is thoroughly followed to verify user experience.
Use Tools to Monitor for 404 Errors
One of the easiest methods to help prevent 404 errors is to use monitoring tools throughout the redesign process. There are several excellent tools for this purpose, including:
- Google Search Console: Google Search Console is an incredibly accessible and valuable tool for finding 404 errors. It can list all pages that come back with a 404 error, create custom reports to discover their source, and show how they may be affecting search presence. Even better, you can request deleted pages to be removed from search results.
- Web Analytics: Web analytics platforms, such as Google Analytics, can be configured to identify and track 404 error codes, see how many users are hitting those pages, and find their source.
- Server Logs: Using tools to analyze server logs can be an easy way to identify website errors. After all, server logs record every request to the server, including when a user hits a 404 error. Tools like Splunk and GoAccess make it easy to analyze server logs instead of trying to read them manually.
- Crawling Tools: SEO crawling tools can simulate how search engines view and evaluate web pages. In turn, this can help to identify pages with error codes. Good tools for this include SEMrush and Ahrefs.
- Error Monitoring: Use live error monitoring tools or plug-ins to catch page errors fast. If using a platform like WordPress, plug-ins like 404 Monitor or Broken Link Checker can be hugely beneficial. You can also use monitoring services like Pingdom or Uptime Robot.
Identifying and Prioritizing Broken Links
After a redesign, there may be several broken links or error-coded pages. In this event, the high-priority pages need to be fixed first. The first step is to group 404 error pages by traffic volume and backlink value. In other words, which pages are receiving the most traffic, and which ones are the most impactful to search engine indexing and ranking? The highest on the list should be the priority targets.
Be sure to also find out the source of the error code: Was the link intentionally changed or removed? Or, was it a mistake during the redesign process? If it was intentionally removed, it may not be valuable content anymore, or simply needs to be updated with the correct link or redirect.
Fixing and Redirecting 404 Error Codes
Now that the 404 pages have been identified and sorted by priorities, it’s time to fix them as quickly as possible. This way, the minimum number of users are impacted by the issue. There are a few ways to begin fixing website error codes, including:
- Set Up 301 Redirects: For any content that has been moved or renamed, a redirect needs to be set up. This will help send any new traffic to the new or correct location.
- Update Internal Links Across the Site: During a redesign, internal links may end up directing to outdated pages, which can be confusing for users and create SEO issues. Using the crawling tools above can help to identify these pages so that they can be properly redirected to the correct page.
- Create a Custom 404 Error Page: In some cases, content or pages may no longer be relevant or useful. In these cases, a custom 404 page can be created to help catch traffic and offer different pages for their interests or needs. The custom 404 page should match the overall design, offer useful links to other parts of the site, and include a search bar.
- Fix External Links: In the event of broken external links, there are two solutions. The first is to direct the old URL to the new location to catch any incoming traffic. Or, you can reach out to the original linking site to ask them to update the link. Redirecting is usually the easier option, but reaching out to change the link can help clean up the structure.
We hope the above helps you understand the ways a 404 error code can come about and how to find and fix them. We wish you the best of luck with your website redesign!
Graphem Solutions for Your Web Design Needs
If you are worried about doing your own website redesign or don’t have the internal staff to do it, Graphem Solutions is here to help.
Our web design team offers years of experience in creating custom web design and redesign. They can create the perfect website to fit all of your business’s needs. Moreover, they are experts in structuring sites to ensure the absolute minimum of 404 errors. Any that are discovered, you can be confident they will be properly handled and redirected where needed.
Check out some of our previous web design work to see what you have to look forward to. To learn more, you can fill out our online contact form or call us at 1-800-590-0175. We look forward to helping you redesign the perfect website.
