404 Errors and Redirects: Dos and Don'ts

404 Errors and Redirects are very important for every website owner, shopkeeper, freelancer, or online seller in India who wants their website to succeed in Google Search and keep visitors happy. Mishandling 404 errors can reduce your online traffic and harm your SEO rankings. This friendly guide by Niranjan Yamgar explains every do and don't in simple style, using latest working strategies, Indian examples, and free tools that beginners can use to fix these problems easily with proven results. The focus is always on helping real businesses make their digital life easy and profitable.

A 404 error is when someone visits a web page that simply does not exist. This may happen if you deleted a page, changed its address, moved to a new website, or someone made a typing mistake in the link. If you do not handle 404 errors properly, visitors will feel lost, leave quickly, and Google may stop showing your pages in top search results. But with correct steps—like smart redirects and custom error pages—you will protect your search ranking and grow your business online.

Simple Guide – Key Dos for 404 Errors and Redirects

• Create a Smart Custom 404 Page: Make a friendly, welcoming 404 page. Add a clear message that the page is missing and simple options to get back home, search your site, or see most popular pages. Add your contact info. This helps visitors stay on your site and lowers bounce rate.
• Use 301 Redirects for Moved Content: If you remove or shift content, always use a 301 redirect to send visitors (and Google) from the old URL to the new page. This keeps your SEO power and link value strong—never just delete or hide old pages without redirecting.
• Fix Broken Links Quickly: Use free tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or Site Audit to identify broken links. Fix them at source—edit wrong URLs, update internal menu or old blog links.
• Monitor for 404 Errors Regularly: Audit your website every week or month. Catch new errors fast. Use Google Search Console free—it shows all your site’s 404 errors.
• Redirect Only When There is a Relevant Page: Always point a broken URL to the closest matching live page. For example, if a product is discontinued, send users to a category or similar product—not the homepage or random page.
• Use 410 Gone for Permanently Removed Pages: If a deleted page will never return (like a one-time offer or out-of-stock item), use HTTP 410 status code to indicate it is gone forever. Google removes it quicker from results.
• Keep Internal Links Fresh and Up-to-Date: Whenever you update your site, fix all menu, sidebar, and button links. Old, broken internal links result in user frustration and negative SEO impact.
• Bulk Redirects Using Plugins or CMS Tools: For WordPress, use free plugins like Redirection or Yoast SEO. For other platforms, check for built-in redirect settings. These tools help create fast redirects for hundreds of pages without coding.

Dos and Don’ts Table

Mini Step-By-Step Guide – Fixing Errors Fast

• Find all 404 errors using Google Search Console or any free audit tool.
• If you have many broken links, pick most important ones first—product, contact, service and home pages.
• For every broken page with useful content or backlinks, set 301 redirect to most relevant, working page.
• If page has no replacement, let it show custom 404 page with links to home, search, and main sections.
• Check all internal links in menus, blogs, footers, and fix any wrong or outdated ones.
• For pages removed forever, use 410 status so Google drops it quickly from results.
• Test your site often after updates, redesigns, campaigns, or bulk changes.

Real Indian Business Examples

A Dadar sweets shop deleted an old menu page—they set a 301 redirect from the missing URL to their main menu page and kept top rank for mithai menu Mumbai. An online education startup retired an outdated exam page—they used 410 Gone and Google dropped it fast from search results, preventing user confusion. Mobile service provider in Hyderabad found hundreds of broken links after site update—used Redirection plugin to solve all with one click, keeping customers and Google happy.

For more info on custom error pages, check Yoast’s 404 page guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t redirect every 404 to homepage: Doing this confuses users (they expect a specific page, land on home) and Google sees it as “soft 404,” hurting SEO. Only redirect if there’s a great match page.
• Don’t ignore broken links: Even one broken link can send lots of visitors away or frustrate loyal customers. Check and fix monthly.
• Don’t make boring 404 page: If your 404 page is blank or error text only, visitors will leave. Always offer help to find popular pages, contact, or menu.
• Don’t use random redirects: Only redirect to truly related content—don’t send users looking for a cake recipe to the about page or privacy policy.
• Don’t forget internal link audits: A site redesign can create hundreds of broken links you may miss. Always check each section after site changes.

Automation Tips for Easy Management

• Use n8n automation to send WhatsApp or email alerts whenever a new broken link is detected, so you can fix on the go.
• Schedule weekly Google Search Console checks with reminders.
• Use bulk plugins for WordPress or auto redirect tools in Shopify, Wix, and Magento.
• Create a simple sheet or dashboard to track fixes and review status codes.
• Set up routine content updates and audits, especially after festival, sale, or seasonal change.

Action List – What Every Beginner Should Do

• Make a custom 404 page with clear helpful links, contact, and search options.
• Setup bulk 301 redirects for moved, updated, or merged content.
• Fix and update broken menu, button, and footer links every month.
• Check Google Search Console for errors and fix quickly.
• Always redirect to meaningful, related pages—never homepage for every problem.
• Use free audit tools for regular diagnostic checks.
• Automate error detection wherever possible, using tools like n8n or site audit plugins.

If you want expert help for these steps, check and follow the steps from Shopify’s 404 error guide for more tips.

Final Thoughts and Friendly Advice by Niranjan Yamgar

Managing 404 errors and redirects is not hard if you know the right way. Do not be afraid to ask for help, use free tools and plugins, and always focus on your customer’s journey. Fast action and proper redirects protect your SEO, keep users from getting lost, and make your website much more powerful. For full digital business growth, see the most recommended website solutions team at India’s most reliable internet business growth service for expert support and smart automation. Never let your website get stuck—fix your errors and keep moving forward to success. All the best!
Jai Hind!