Did you know that page statuses and HTTP errors can make or break your SEO strategy? 🚀 In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of HTTP status codes. Discover our practical tips for optimizing your site and avoiding common pitfalls. Get ready to learn how to turn these mistakes into growth opportunities, while keeping your ranking at the top of search results. 💡 Hold on tight, because the journey to elite SEO starts here! 🌟
HTTP Code: The Summary
If you don’t have time to read it all 😉 Here’s a summary of the article on HTTP codes:
1️⃣ HTTP status codes: HTTP codes, such as 404, 500 and 301, are essential for understanding the communication between your site and search engines.
2️⃣ Correct the most common errors: For error 404, create a personalized page to guide lost users (or redirect). Identify and quickly correct internal server problems for error 500. Use 301 redirects to maintain URL consistency.
3️⃣ Error tracking : Follow the evolution of your pages in error in Search Console.
HTTP Code: Definition and types of error codes
An HTTP status code is a numerical response that the web server sends to the client browser. It indicates the result of the HTTP request. 📊 These codes are crucial to understanding the communication between your site and search engines.
Here are some of the most important codes for SEO:
- 200 OK: Every webmaster’s holy grail, indicating that the query has been successfully processed and the requested page found. 💪
- 301 Moved Permanently: A permanent redirect. Useful for redirecting traffic and transferring authority from the original page to a new URL, which is beneficial for SEO.
- 404 Not Found: The dreaded error that means the requested page was not found. It can harm the user experience and the indexing of your site by search engines. 🚫
- 500 Internal Server Error: A generic error that indicates a problem at server level. It can occur for a variety of reasons and must be resolved quickly to avoid negative impacts on SEO.
Understanding these status codes is essential for optimizing your site and ensuring a smooth user experience, while also promoting higher rankings in search results. 🚀
HTTP code: how to resolve common errors?
4️⃣0️⃣4️⃣ The often-dreaded 404 error occurs when users try toaccess a page that doesn’t exist on your site. To remedy this, create a personalized page that guides lost users to other relevant content on your site, while providing a fluid and engaging user experience. You can also set up a redirect to a similar page (depending on the importance of the page in error 404).
5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ As for the500 error, it can arise due to internal server problems, such as configuration errors or faulty scripts. It’s crucial toidentify and correct these problems quickly to avoid prolonged interruption of access to your site, which could have a negative impact on your online reputation and search engine rankings.
3️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ Finally, the301 error indicates a permanent redirect. When changing the URL of an existing page or moving content to a new address, use 301 redirects to direct traffic to the new pages or correct URLs. This will ensure a seamless user experience and maintain the consistency and integrity of your site in the eyes of the search engines. I’ve written a whole article on the subject of redirects, so check it out.
HTTP code: How do I know the status code of my pages?
It’s all very well knowing how to correct errors… But how do you know if you’ve got pages in error on your site?
One of the easiest (and free!) ways to find out is to visit Search Console. Yes, there it is again!
Go to: Indexing > Pages
You’ll see a list of your pages with 404 errors, 500… Perfect for getting started on error correction. A word of advice: prioritize the pages that are most important to your business!
You can also spot patterns. For example, if an error affects all the pages in the same category, you can certainly automate the correction of your pages so that they return the correct status code.
Now you know what an HTTP status code is and how to recognize the main errors on your pages. Follow the evolution of errors on your site from Search Console. And if you’re lost, call in an SEO professional!
