- Link Building Services
- Content Creation Services
- Linkbait
- Local Marketing
- SEO Consultant
- Website Usability Reports
- On-Page Optimization
- Social Media Marketing
- Widget Creation Services
- Reputation Management
- Google Reinclusion Services
- SEO Training
- SEO Speaking Services
- Web Design Services
- PPC Management Services
Implement 301 Redirects and Custom 404 Error Pages on Your Site
301 Redirects
If you have old pages on your website that you want to remove or rename, use a 301 redirect to preserve search engine rankings and pass on backlinks and/or page rank. You can even redirect whole websites into new ones. It is easy to do and is very search engine friendly.
The term "301" stands for "moved permanently". It is created by using a .htaccess file. Follow this guide to learn how to implement many different types of 301 redirects. When pages are deleted instead of redirected with a 301, they turn into 404s (Not Found Pages).
Custom 404 Pages
404s can appear if a URL is mis-typed, a search engine link is out of date, or if a link on the site is broken. You want to create a custom 404 page that will not confuse your readers so they can easily be redirected back to your site.
A 404 page should include a link back to the home page or site map of your website so users can quickly get back to what they were searching for. A search box, if you have a site search, is also a good idea to add to a 404 page. Other then that, keep the page minimal, remove distractions and get the user off the 404 error page as quickly as they got on.
Keep in mind most users may not be so savvy when it comes to Internet jargon so simple explanations in English are key! Although, keeping it minimalist does not have to mean "boring". The steps to make a custom 404 page are simple and this site can explain in detail how to create one depending on your server.