How do you find and fix 404 errors?

Finding and fixing 404 errors involves several steps to identify broken links and address them effectively. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to find and fix 404 errors on your website:

### **Finding 404 Errors**

1. **Use Google Search Console**
   - **Crawl Errors Report**: Sign in to Google Search Console, go to the "Coverage" report, and look for "Not Found" (404) errors under the "Error" tab. This report will show you URLs that return a 404 status.
   - **Inspect URL Tool**: Use the "URL Inspection" tool to check specific URLs and see if they return a 404 error.

2. **Use Bing Webmaster Tools**
   - **Crawl Report**: Log into Bing Webmaster Tools and navigate to the "Crawl Information" section. Check for any 404 errors listed in the crawl reports.

3. **Run a Site Audit with SEO Tools**
   - **Crawlers**: Use SEO audit tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Sitebulb to crawl your site. These tools will identify 404 errors and other broken links.
   - **Reports**: Review the crawl reports to find URLs returning 404 errors.

4. **Check Server Logs**
   - **Access Logs**: Review your server logs for entries indicating 404 errors. This can provide insights into which URLs are being requested and returning errors.

5. **Monitor Backlink Tools**
   - **Backlink Analysis**: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to analyze backlinks pointing to your site. Identify broken backlinks leading to 404 pages.

6. **Use Broken Link Checkers**
   - **Online Tools**: Tools like Broken Link Checker or Dr. Link Check can help find broken links on your site.

### **Fixing 404 Errors**

1. **Redirect Broken Links**
   - **301 Redirects**: Implement 301 redirects from the broken URL to a relevant, functioning page. This preserves link equity and improves user experience.
   - **Redirection Tools**: Use tools or plugins (like Redirection for WordPress) to manage and set up redirects.

2. **Update or Remove Internal Links**
   - **Fix Links**: Update internal links that point to the broken URL with correct, active URLs. Ensure all internal navigation is functional.
   - **Audit Links**: Regularly audit internal links to avoid broken links.

3. **Restore Deleted Pages**
   - **Content Recovery**: If a page was removed by mistake, restore it from backups if possible. Ensure that the restored page is relevant and correctly linked.
   - **Recreate Content**: If the page cannot be restored, consider recreating similar content and setting up a redirect.

4. **Implement a Custom 404 Page**
   - **User-Friendly Design**: Create a custom 404 page that helps users navigate to other parts of your site. Include a search bar, links to popular content, or a sitemap.
   - **Brand Consistency**: Ensure the 404 page aligns with your site's branding and provides useful options for users.

5. **Update External Links**
   - **Contact Webmasters**: For broken external links pointing to your site, contact the webmasters of the linking sites to request updates or corrections.
   - **Monitor Backlinks**: Regularly check and manage your backlink profile to identify and address broken links.

6. **Review and Fix Dynamic URLs**
   - **URL Parameters**: Ensure that dynamic URLs (with parameters) are correctly handled and do not lead to 404 errors. Implement proper URL handling and redirection if needed.

### **Preventing Future 404 Errors**

1. **Implement URL Redirection Strategies**
   - **Consistent URLs**: Avoid unnecessary changes to URLs. When changing URLs, set up appropriate redirects to prevent 404 errors.

2. **Use Structured URL Formats**
   - **SEO-Friendly URLs**: Use clear, descriptive, and SEO-friendly URLs to avoid issues with broken links and improve usability.

3. **Regular Site Audits**
   - **Scheduled Checks**: Conduct regular site audits to identify and fix broken links and other issues proactively.

4. **Monitor Site Changes**
   - **Content Updates**: When updating or deleting content, ensure that proper redirects are set up to handle any changes in URLs.

By regularly finding and addressing 404 errors and implementing preventive measures, you can enhance user experience, maintain site authority, and improve your overall SEO performance.