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404 Status Code

A 404 status code, otherwise known as a ʻpage not foundʻ error code, is a hypertext transfer protocol that lets a web user know that the webpage they’ve requested is unavailable. When web users attempt to access a webpage that does not exist, has been moved, or contains a broken link, the 404 status code will appear on screen. By using a web analysis tool, such as Google Search Console, website owners can determine if their website contains any links that may result in a 404 status code.

What Small and Midsize Businesses Need to Know About 404 Status Code

Small and midsize companies should routinely check their company websites for broken links to ensure that their users do not run into any 404 status codes. Often when web users are confronted with a 404 status code, they will presume that the website they are on is not well maintained. This could deter potential and current customers from further exploring the company’s product and service offerings. To prevent this from happening, small businesses should use a web analysis tool to identify broken links on their website and replace them with webpage links that properly work.

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