What happens when a company’s website link on Google leads to a 404 page?

Short Answer: When a company’s website link on Google leads to a 404 page, it means the page could not be found. This situation occurs either due to an incorrect URL or the page being removed. It is important to fix this issue quickly to avoid losing potential customers.

Full Explanation

A 404 page indicates that the specific webpage a user tried to access is missing. In the context of a company’s website link appearing on Google, this means that when someone clicks on that link, they do not land on the expected content. The error typically occurs because the URL might have been typed incorrectly or because the page itself has been taken down or deleted from the website.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. User clicks on the company’s website link from Google search results.
2. Browser requests the webpage corresponding to the URL.
3. The server checks for the existence of the requested page.
4. If the page is not found, the server returns a 404 error, signaling the missing page.
5. The user sees a 404 not found page instead of the intended content.
6. The company loses a potential customer as visitors may leave after encountering the error.
7. The company should identify and fix the issue promptly by correcting the URL or restoring the page.

Real Examples

While specific examples are not provided, the general scenario can be imagined as follows: a customer looking for a product clicks a Google search result that leads to a broken URL resulting in a 404 error. This frustrates the visitor and interrupts their journey to engage with the company’s offerings.

Common Mistakes

• Not regularly checking for broken links on the website.
• Removing pages without setting up proper redirects.
• Not correcting errors in URLs listed on Google or other platforms.
• Delaying the fix after noticing the 404 error, which can lead to loss of customer trust.

FAQs

Q: What does a 404 page mean?
It means the webpage was not found at the URL requested.

Q: Why might a link lead to a 404 page?
Typically because the URL is incorrect or the page has been removed.

Q: How urgent is it to fix a 404 error?
It should be addressed quickly to avoid losing potential customers.

Key Takeaways

• A 404 page signifies a missing webpage, often caused by an error in the link or page removal.
• When a company’s link on Google leads to a 404, users cannot access the intended page.
• This can result in losing potential customers if the issue is not resolved promptly.
• Regular maintenance and quick fixes are essential to ensure good user experience and customer retention.