Most websites in India, whether shops, bloggers, or service providers, often face crawl errors in SEO, stopping them from ranking higher on Google and other search engines. Crawl errors mean search engines like Google cannot properly read or index some pages of your site. This can cause big problems like fewer visitors, lost business, and poor visibility for your hard work. Fixing crawl errors has become simple with free tools like Google Search Console and advanced automation using AI and n8n. Every website owner today must learn how to find and solve crawl errors using easy guides and modern strategies for faster results. In this article, beginners and experts can follow simple steps to fix crawl errors, use the latest tools, and grow their online success with practical Indian examples and working tips for now and future.
What Are Crawl Errors?
Crawl errors happen when search engine bots like Googlebot try to access your site but cannot read or index certain pages. Most common issues include broken links, wrong URLs, blocked pages in robots.txt, server issues, and DNS problems. For every website owner, these errors can stop growth and push good pages out of search results. Local businesses, online sellers, freelancers, and even big brands in India all face such problems. Understanding crawl errors is the first step to fixing your SEO and improving your site’s performance for free, using simple tools and a problem-solving mindset.
Types of Crawl Errors
Knowing the main types of crawl errors helps you fix them faster. Here are some types commonly faced by Indian websites:
- 404 Not Found: Page does not exist, often due to deleted or moved URLs
- 500 Server Error: Web server has a problem answering search engine requests
- DNS Error: Search engines cannot find your server due to wrong DNS settings
- Robots.txt Block: Important pages blocked from crawling by incorrect robots.txt
- Redirect Chains: Multiple redirects that confuse search engines and slow indexing
- Broken Internal Links: Links inside your site pointing to missing or wrong pages
How Crawl Errors Hurt Your SEO
Search engines cannot index pages with crawl errors, which lowers visibility and ranking. For example, a local saree seller with many 404 errors will disappear from search results, while a service provider with broken redirects may lose customer trust and traffic to competitors. Crawl errors reduce experience for visitors and block good content from reaching potential buyers, making it urgent for every business to find and fix these issues regularly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Finding Crawl Errors
The easiest way to start is with Google Search Console, a free tool for website owners. Here is a simple guide for beginners:
- Sign up for Google Search Console using your email and site URL
- Choose your property (site) and open the Index report by clicking Pages
- Check for errors under sections like Not Indexed, Valid, Excluded
- Use the URL Inspection tool to copy-paste any URL and see if it has errors
- Click on each error to get details about the problem and fix suggestions
Finding Broken Links and Pages
Most crawl errors are from broken links and missing pages. Use free or paid tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to scan your site for broken internal and external links. Indian online shops can run these tools weekly to keep their sites healthy. These tools show which pages are not working so you can fix or remove them quickly.
Checking The Robots.txt File
Many Indian sites wrongly block important pages by mistake in their robots.txt file. To solve this, check your robots.txt in Google Search Console using its robots.txt tester. Make sure your important pages are allowed and only unwanted ones are blocked. This brings back valuable pages into search.
How to Fix Different Crawl Errors
Every crawl error needs a simple fix which anyone can do, even beginners. Here are practical steps:
- 404 Page: Set up a 301 redirect to a similar, working page using plugins like Redirection for WordPress or your CMS panel. If the page is important, restore it or update internal links.
- 500 Server Error: Check server logs with your hosting provider, fix server overload or misconfigurations. Many hosts such as Hostinger, Bluehost, or GoDaddy support quick fixes for Indian businesses.
- DNS Problems: Use DNS Checker or your domain provider’s dashboard to fix wrong DNS records. Reliable DNS services like Cloudflare boost uptime and crawling speed.
- Redirect Chains: Change settings to use simple one-step 301 redirects, and avoid loops with site audit tools like SEMrush or Screaming Frog.
- Broken Internal Links: Replace wrong URLs inside your site using Ahrefs or SEMrush suggestions. Check for typos and outdated links, especially after website updates.
- Robots.txt Errors: Update your robots.txt using Google’s Robot.txt Tester and make sure no important page is blocked.
Latest AI & Automation Tools For Fixing Crawl Errors
Old manual methods take time and effort, but new AI and automation tools give faster results. Latest tools include:
- Alli AI: Finds and fixes technical SEO errors, broken links, and slow site speed with one click
- OTTO SEO: Automatically detects crawl problems, corrects internal links, and submits clean sitemaps to Google
- n8n: Free automation tool that connects with Google Search Console and other platforms for quick crawl error alerts and fixing tasks
- ChatGPT: Use it for help with rewriting meta tags or finding solution steps to complex crawl issues
- Site Audit Tools: SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and DeepCrawl scan thousands of pages at once
How to Use n8n for Auto-fixing Crawl Errors
n8n is a powerful automation tool that non-tech people can use with little help. Example: If Google Search Console reports a crawl error, n8n can send an alert to WhatsApp and auto-update your site with a fix. It connects over 2000 apps and services, giving Indian businesses fast solutions to recurring crawl problems. Some popular n8n modules for SEO are Sitemaps, URL Inspection, Alerts, and Automation for redirects.
Building a Clean Sitemap for Easy Crawling
A clean sitemap is like a map for search engines. Use free plugins (Yoast SEO, Google XML Sitemap) or tools provided by your CMS to create or update your sitemap regularly. Remove URLs that return 404, add new pages, and resubmit the sitemap in Google Search Console. Shops, freelancers, and blogs in India can use this method every month for better visibility and faster indexing.
Using External Tools and Experts
For big sites or if you need extra help, hire experienced agencies. Many Indian agencies offer technical SEO and crawl error solutions. International resources like Moz crawl errors guide have reliable articles and checklists for advanced users. Always use trusted sources in your learning and apply latest updates.
Mini Guide: Beginners Fix Crawl Errors in 5 Steps
- Step 1: Open Google Search Console and check for crawl errors
- Step 2: Install and use Screaming Frog (free up to 500 URLs) to audit your site
- Step 3: Fix 404 errors with 301 redirect plugin or inside your server settings
- Step 4: Test and update robots.txt with Google’s tester and correct mistakes
- Step 5: Build and submit a new sitemap for the fixed URLs
Real Indian Examples
A small store selling mobile accessories in Pune noticed less traffic due to crawl errors from old products deleted without proper redirects. By checking Search Console weekly and updating the sitemap, traffic returned and sales increased. Similarly, a freelancer offering graphic design fixed broken links and improved visibility using free AI-based audits and n8n automations, saving time and effort.
Simple Table: Crawl Error Types & Solutions
| Crawl Error | Easy Solution | Main Tool |
| 404 Not Found | 301 Redirect or restore page | Google Search Console, Redirection Plugin |
| 500 Server Error | Check logs/hosting support | Hosting Dashboard |
| Broken Internal Links | Replace link/typos | Screaming Frog, SEMrush |
| DNS Problem | Fix DNS records | Cloudflare, DNS Checker |
| Blocked by Robots.txt | Edit robots.txt | Google Search Console |
| Redirect Chain | Collapse to one redirect | Site audit tools |
Best Practices & Tips For Crawl Error Prevention
- Update your site regularly, remove old/broken URLs
- Use internal linking properly and double-check links
- Build a correct robots.txt file to allow important pages
- Choose reliable hosting and DNS services for less downtime
- Automate error tracking using n8n or WhatsApp alerts
- Use AI-based SEO tools for weekly audits and auto-fixes
- Submit fresh sitemap after every major change
Advanced Ideas Made Simple - AI and Automation
AI tools check sites round-the-clock, auto-fix common crawl errors, and even alert you. Even small businesses or schools can setup auto-reports with n8n and use ChatGPT for advice on fixes. More businesses now trust hands-free SEO solutions for safety and faster results. Start with small tools, then move to full automation as you grow.
Final Thoughts by Niranjan Yamgar
Solving crawl errors is simple for Indian website owners using new tools and strategies. Every beginner must check their site, use Google Search Console, and fix every error for better ranking and business growth. As you learn, bring the latest AI and automation into your toolkit, and keep your visitors happy with easy navigation and correct pages. For practical tips and latest solutions, connect with the top SEO result-focused website and enjoy fast problem-solving for your online growth: leading digital marketing expert in India