Website errors must be your primary concern if you are a website developer. Managing a website involves many things, and the occurrence of errors can be caused by one of many reasons. Every website owner aspires to maintain a website that operates without errors. If you are relatively new in this field and encounter issues on your website, acquiring the skill to address website errors becomes an integral aspect of your learning journey.
Knowing your way around common website errors is essential as a website owner. This will give you valuable information regarding your website’s performance, help you reduce your bounce rate, and improve your search engine rankings.
Table of contents
- What are website page errors?
- Common website page errors
a) HTTP errors
b) Slow page speed
c) Mobile responsiveness issues
d) Security issues
e) SSL certificate error - Impact of website page errors
- Best practices to prevent website page errors
1. What are website page errors?
While website pages are the backbone of the online world, they are not immune to imperfections. You have likely encountered them before – the cryptic error messages that appear when trying to access a website. Maybe it is a “404 Not Found”, a “500 Internal Server Error”, or a “403 Forbidden”. These are what we refer to as website page errors.
Website page errors are obstacles to the smooth flow of information between your computer and the web server hosting the website. They signify that something has gone amiss in the digital realm, interrupting the seamless experience we expect when surfing the web. These errors can be frustrating for users and challenging for website owners and developers to resolve.
2. Common website page errors
HTTP errors
HTTP errors are the most common website errors that negatively impact user experience. These errors arise when a user tries to access a website page that cannot be found or accessed, displaying an error message.
The occurrence of error pages is directly linked to the HTTP status code, which serves as the server’s response to the browser’s request in the form of a three-digit code. This process occurs when you enter a website’s URL in your browser, initiating a request to the server. In return, the server provides a code known as an HTTP status code.
Status codes are categorised into classes and subclasses based on the number they start with – from 1 to 5. Every class represents different kinds of responses.
1xx error codes: informational responses – the request was received and understood
2xx error codes: success – the request was completed
3xx error codes: redirection – you have been redirected to another page
4xx error codes: client errors – the requested page cannot be found or reached
5xx error codes: server errors – the server cannot complete the request
The most frequent errors are 400, 401, 403, 404, and 500.
Error 400 Bad Request – The 400 is a general error you get when the server cannot understand the request from the browser, either because it was not sent correctly or was corrupted along the way. A 400 error can be due to several factors, including a lousy internet connection, a caching issue, or a browser malfunction. Check your connection and settings, clear your cache, open a different browser, and retry.
Error 401 Unauthorised – The 401 error occurs when you try to access a website page that requires a password. There is no workaround other than obtaining a password through the proper channels.
Error 403 Forbidden – When you try to load a website page you lack permission to access, you will get a 403 error. Usually, getting this error means you have entered a URL or clicked a link that goes to a page set up with access permissions, meaning you have to have an account or some other type of authorisation to access the page. Try going to the website’s homepage and getting to your desired location from there, checking to see if an account signup is an option.
Error 404 Not Found – A 404 error indicates that the server cannot find the page you are looking for. With this error, chances are the URL has been entered incorrectly, so double-check the spelling, punctuation and suffix (.com, .net, .org, etc.) of the domain name and try again.
Error 500 Internal Server Error – The 500 is the most common server error, and like the 400, it is a generic code that points to an unspecified problem. Whenever a server encounters a difficulty that prevents it from fulfilling a request, and the other available server codes do not describe the issue, the server generates a 500 error. Try reloading the page, clearing the cache, deleting cookies and restarting the browser.
Slow page speed
Slow page speed can be a major issue for user experience and can result in visitors leaving your website before even seeing your content.
Typical causes include:
- Large image or video files that take a long time to load
- Poor website hosting
- Too many plugins or scripts running on a page
- Large amounts of unoptimised code
Slow page speeds can be a major problem for website owners, but there are several ways to improve your website’s performance. One of the most effective methods is to compress and optimise any large image or video files on your website. Crop video tools can significantly help in this regard, as they allow you to quickly and easily edit your videos and reduce their file size without compromising quality.
It is also a good idea to optimise your website’s code by minimising any unnecessary white space or code comments. This can help reduce the size of your website files and improve page speed.
Mobile responsiveness issues
Given that more than half of all internet traffic comes from mobile devices, ensuring that your website is tailored for optimal mobile usage is crucial. Mobile responsiveness issues, such as pages that do not fit on a mobile screen or buttons too small to click, can negatively impact user experience and harm your search engine rankings.
To fix mobile responsiveness issues, you can use a mobile responsiveness tool to identify any issues on your website. Use responsive design techniques, such as mobile-friendly font size and ensuring all buttons are adequately sized for easy clicking on mobile devices.
By fixing mobile responsiveness issues, you can enhance the user experience on your website and ensure that it is optimised for all devices.
Security issues
If your website has security issues, it can harm your users and business. Security issues include malware, phishing scams, and insecure login pages. Security breaches can lead to the loss or theft of sensitive information, such as personal data, financial details, and login credentials.
This can result in severe consequences for your users and your business, including identity theft, financial loss, and damage to your reputation. In addition, if your website is hacked, it may compromise other websites and servers connected to it, causing even greater harm.
To fix security issues, you can start by using a website security scanner to identify any vulnerabilities on your website. You can also use secure hosting, implementing HTTPS encryption and strong passwords for any login pages.
Additionally, it is a good idea to ensure that your website’s users are educated on staying safe online. This can include providing information on identifying phishing scams, using two-factor authentication, and regularly updating passwords.
SSL certificate error
An SSL certificate error occurs when there is a problem with the SSL certificate installed on a website. SSL certificates encrypt the communication between a user’s browser and the website, ensuring secure data transmission.
There are several types of SSL certificate errors that users may encounter:
- Invalid SSL certificate: This error indicates that the SSL certificate is invalid or has expired.
- Certificate name mismatch: This error occurs when the domain name on the SSL certificate does not match the website’s domain.
- Untrusted SSL certificate: This error is displayed when the SSL certificate is either not issued by a recognised certificate authority (CA) or is self-signed.
How do you fix SSL certificate errors?
- Check certificate validity: Ensure that the SSL certificate is still valid and has not expired. Most certificate authorities provide tools to check the validity of certificates.
- Install a trusted SSL certificate: Obtain an SSL certificate from a reputable certificate authority and ensure it is properly installed on your web server. Follow the installation guidelines provided by the certificate authority.
- Correct certificate name mismatch: If you receive a mismatch error, ensure the certificate’s domain matches the website’s domain. Obtain a new certificate with the correct domain name if necessary.
- Update intermediate certificates: Intermediate certificates establish the trust chain between the SSL and root certificates. Make sure all necessary intermediate certificates are properly installed on the server.
- Renew or update the SSL certificate: If the SSL certificate has expired or is no longer considered secure, renew it with the certificate authority or obtain a new certificate.
- Force HTTPS: Configure your web server to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to enforce secure connections.
3. Impact of website page errors
Website page errors might seem minor nuisances, but they can significantly impact your website’s performance and reputation.
Poor user experience: Website page errors are a major source of frustration for users. When visitors encounter errors like the dreaded “404 Not Found” or slow-loading pages, they will likely leave your website searching for a more reliable source. The result? A poor user experience that can result in high bounce rates, reduced engagement, and fewer conversions.
Loss of credibility: A website that frequently displays errors can quickly lose credibility in the eyes of its users. Whether it is SSL certificate errors, broken links, or unresponsive pages, these issues convey a lack of professionalism and reliability. Users may begin to question the trustworthiness of your website, especially if they encounter security-related errors.
Decreased SEO performance: Search engines aim to deliver the best possible results to users. When your website consistently serves up errors, search engine algorithms take notice. Website page errors can negatively impact your SEO rankings, causing your website to drop in search results. This means less organic traffic and missed opportunities to reach your target audience.
Security risks: Speaking of security, some website page errors, particularly SSL certificate errors, can pose significant security risks. Users may be hesitant to share personal information or make transactions on a website that displays security-related errors, fearing their data may be compromised. Ensuring a secure browsing experience is crucial for user trust and regulatory compliance.
Negative brand image: Website page errors can tarnish your brand image. A website with a reputation for errors can be seen as outdated, poorly managed, or unprofessional. This perception extends beyond the website and can impact how users view your brand. Negative impressions can be challenging to overcome, making it essential to prioritise error prevention and resolution.
4. Best practices to prevent website page errors
Regular content maintenance
Keeping your website’s content up-to-date is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent errors. Broken links, outdated information, and missing images are common issues that can lead to errors. Establish a regular content review and maintenance schedule to keep your website error-free.
Proper URL redirection
Changing URLs or restructuring your website can result in broken links and 404 errors. Implement 301 redirects to guide users and search engines to the new location of your content. This not only prevents errors but also preserves your SEO rankings.
SSL certificate renewal
SSL certificate errors can deter users and pose security risks. Ensure that your SSL certificates are up-to-date and renewed before they expire. Regularly check for any certificate-related issues to maintain a secure browsing environment.
Code debugging and testing
Thoroughly test your website’s code and scripts to identify and address coding errors or bugs. This includes checking for JavaScript errors, syntax issues, and compatibility with various browsers. Regular debugging and testing can prevent errors before they impact users.
Custom error pages
Create custom error pages (e.g., 404 and 500) that inform users of the error and provide navigation options to help them find the content they are looking for. A well-designed error page can turn a negative experience into a positive one.
User-friendly error messages
When errors occur, ensure the error messages are user-friendly and informative. Clear, concise messages help users understand the issue and act appropriately. Avoid technical jargon and guide what to do next.
Monitoring and alerts
Implement website monitoring tools and alerts to identify errors as they occur proactively. Regularly review error logs and set up alerts to notify you of critical issues. This allows you to address errors promptly before they impact users.
Backup and recovery plans
Ensure you have comprehensive backup and recovery strategies established. Consistently create backups of your website’s data and content, enabling you to recover your website to its prior condition swiftly should an error or a significant incident occur.
In the realm of websites and digital experiences, the impact of common website page errors cannot be underestimated. These glitches, from the notorious 404 errors to SSL certificate mishaps, can disrupt user journeys, harm SEO efforts, and erode trust in your brand. However, with awareness and proactive measures, you can turn these challenges into opportunities for improvement. By embracing regular maintenance, implementing proper redirects, staying vigilant about SSL certificates, and crafting user-friendly error pages, you can not only fix common website page errors but also provide a seamless online experience that fosters user loyalty and trust. In the ever-evolving digital landscape, conquering website page errors is critical to maintaining a reliable and user-centric online presence.