Important HTTP Status Codes Explained for Beginners

HTTP status codes are like traffic lights for the internet, guiding the flow of data between servers and browsers. They help determine what happens next in the process.

A 200 status code, also known as "OK", means the request was successful and the server delivered the data as expected. This is the most common status code you'll encounter.

Understanding HTTP status codes is crucial for web developers, as it helps them identify and fix issues with their websites.

HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers that help browsers and servers communicate about the status of a request. They're like a report card for your website's interactions.

A 200 status code means a request was successful, which is like getting an A on a test. This code is often referred to as "OK."

A 301 status code indicates a permanent redirect, which means a website has moved to a new location. This code is like being told to move to a new house and you'll never go back to the old one.

A 404 status code means a requested resource was not found, which is like looking for a book in the library and it's nowhere to be found. This code is often used when a website's URL is incorrect or the page has been deleted.

A 500 status code indicates an internal server error, which is like the website's computer having a bad day and not being able to do its job. This code can be frustrating for users and developers alike.

HTTP status codes are a crucial part of the web development process. They help us understand whether a request was successful or not. The 2xx class of status codes indicates that the client's request was successfully received, understood, and accepted by the server.

Successful status codes include 200 OK, which means the request has succeeded, and 201 created, which means the request has resulted in the creation of a new resource. There are also other successful status codes like 202 accepted, 203 non-authoritative information, 204 no content, 205 reset content, and 206 partial content.

Here are some of the most common successful status codes:

Redirection status codes, on the other hand, indicate that further action needs to be taken by the user agent to fulfill the request. The 3xx class of status codes is used for this purpose.

Let's break down the common classes of HTTP status codes. There are five broad classes: 1xx informational, 2xx successful, 3xx redirection, 4xx client errors, and 5xx server errors.

The 2xx class is the most straightforward. It indicates that the client's request was successfully received, understood, and accepted by the server. This class includes status codes like 200 OK, which means the request has succeeded, and 201 created, which means a new resource has been created.

One of the key benefits of using 2xx status codes is that they help ensure a smooth user experience. For example, a 200 OK status code is essential for search engine optimization (SEO), as it tells search engines that a page functions properly and should be indexed.

Here are some common 2xx status codes:

By understanding these common classes and status codes, you can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your website or application.

3XX: Redirection is a class of status codes that indicates the client must take additional action to complete the request. Many of these status codes are used in URL redirection.

A user agent may carry out the additional action with no user interaction only if the method used in the second request is GET or HEAD. A user agent may automatically redirect a request.

A 301 redirect should be utilized any time one URL needs to be redirected to another permanently. A 301 redirect means that visitors and bots that land on that page will be passed to the new URL.

The 301 Moved Permanently status code indicates that the requested resource has been assigned a new permanent URI, and any future references should use one of the returned URIs.

Here are some common 3XX redirection status codes:

A user agent should detect and intervene to prevent cyclical redirects. Despite talk from Google that all 3xx redirects are treated equally, tests have shown that a 301 redirect remains the preferred method of choice for permanent page redirects.

HTTP status code classes include a broad list of client error codes, which are intended for situations where the error seems to have been caused by the client.

User agents should display any included entity to the user when responding to a request, except when responding to a HEAD request.

These status codes are applicable to any request method, and the server should include an entity containing an explanation of the error situation.

Internet Information Services (IIS) web server expands the 4xx error space to signal errors with the client's request, but these sub-codes only appear in the response payload and in documentation.

A 404 error code means the file or page that the browser is requesting wasn’t found by the server, resulting in a 404 error code.

Every site will have some pages that return 404 status codes, and these pages don’t always have to be redirected.

You should employ 301 redirects to the most relevant page possible if the pages returning 404 codes are high-authority pages with lots of traffic or have an obvious URL that visitors or links are intended to reach.

Search engines won’t index pages that return a 404 error, and any backlinks pointing to it will no longer give link value to the page.

The best practice is to create a 301 redirect to a similar page that serves the same intent, but if you don’t have a relevant page to redirect users to, you can create a custom 404 page.

An internal server error is a frustrating experience for anyone trying to access a website. It's a generic error message indicating that the server cannot process the request due to an internal issue.

This error can occur for a variety of reasons, including invalid responses from upstream servers. A 500 internal server error is a classic server error that can affect access to your site.

If you're experiencing internal server errors, it's essential to investigate and fix the issue as soon as possible. Search engines prefer sites that are well maintained, and a 500 error can hurt your rankings and cause a negative user experience.

Here are some common causes of internal server errors:

In some cases, internal server errors can be caused by a lack of storage space or infinite loops while processing requests. This can lead to a situation where the server is unable to store the representation needed to complete the request successfully.

A 500 internal server error is not the same as a 503 service unavailable error, which indicates that the server is currently unable to handle the request due to temporary overloading or maintenance. However, both errors can be frustrating for users and can harm your website's reputation.

To fix internal server errors, you'll need to investigate the root cause of the issue and take corrective action. This may involve updating server software, increasing storage space, or resolving configuration errors. By taking prompt action, you can minimize the impact of internal server errors and ensure that your website remains accessible to users.

The 410 Gone status code is a permanent indication that a page is no longer available from the server.

If you notice links pointing to a 410 page on your site, it's essential to remove them to avoid sending bots and visitors to a dead resource.

The origin server has permanently removed the resource, so there's no forwarding address to redirect users to.

This code is more permanent than a 404, which means the page is gone for good, and it's not just a temporary error.

A soft 404 error is a bad user experience, as it returns a 200 (success) status code but displays an error message.

These types of pages are often generated by a website's web server or content management system due to issues like missing server-side include files, broken connections to the database, or unloaded JavaScript files.

Soft 404 errors are excluded from Search, and Google's algorithms detect them based on the content of the page.

If you removed the page and there's no replacement page on your site with similar content, return a 404 (not found) or 410 (gone) response status code.

You can also customize the error page to make it useful for users by telling them clearly that the page can't be found, using friendly language, and providing helpful content.

A custom 404 page should have the same look and feel as the rest of your site, and consider adding links to your most popular articles or posts, as well as a link to your site's home page.

If your page has moved or has a clear replacement on your site, return a 301 (permanent redirect) to redirect the user.

Here are some common reasons why a page might be flagged with a soft 404 error:

These issues can cause the page to load improperly for Googlebot or display a prominent error message, leading to a soft 404 error.

A 404 error can be frustrating, but it's often a simple fix. Make sure the URL is spelled correctly and the page exists.

If you're getting a 500 error, it's likely due to a server-side issue. This can be caused by a database query that's taking too long or a misconfigured server setting.

In some cases, a 403 error can be resolved by checking the file permissions. Ensure the file is not locked or set to read-only.

Fixing soft 404 errors can be a bit tricky, but it's essential to provide a good user experience and help search engines understand what's going on.

If you removed the page and there's no replacement page on your site with similar content, return a 404 (not found) or 410 (gone) response status code for the page. These status codes indicate to search engines that the page doesn't exist and the content should not be indexed.

Customizing error pages can be a great way to make them useful to users. A good custom 404 page helps people find the information they're looking for and provides other helpful content that encourages people to explore your site further.

To design a useful custom 404 page, tell visitors clearly that the page they're looking for can't be found, use friendly and inviting language. Make sure your 404 page has the same look and feel as the rest of your site, including navigation.

Consider adding links to your most popular articles or posts, as well as a link to your site's home page. You can also think about providing a way for users to report a broken link.

Here are some key tips for fixing soft 404 errors:

If your page has moved or has a clear replacement on your site, return a 301 (permanent redirect) to redirect the user. This will not interrupt their browsing experience and it's also a great way to tell search engines about the new location of the page.

Troubleshooting can be a tedious process, but there are some general tips to keep in mind.

Start by identifying the root cause of the issue, often it's a simple problem that's been overlooked.

Rebooting the system is a common solution, it's been found to resolve 30% of all technical issues.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, 75% of users who reach out for assistance are able to resolve their issue on the first call.

If you're dealing with a software issue, check the update history to see if the problem was caused by a recent update.

In many cases, the solution is as simple as restarting the device, it's been shown to resolve 25% of all hardware-related issues.

It's also a good idea to check the user manual or online documentation, it can provide valuable information on troubleshooting techniques.

If none of the above steps work, it may be necessary to seek professional help, such as a technical support specialist.

Some web servers expand the 4xx error space to signal issues with the client's request. This is the case with Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) web server.

IIS sometimes uses additional decimal sub-codes for more specific information, but these sub-codes only appear in the response payload and in documentation, not in the actual HTTP status code.

The nginx web server software also expands the 4xx error space to signal issues with the client's request.

Internet Information Services expands the 4xx error space to signal errors with the client's request.

This means that IIS uses a different range of error codes to indicate issues with the client's request, making it easier to diagnose problems.

IIS sometimes uses additional decimal sub-codes for more specific information, but these sub-codes only appear in the response payload and in documentation, not in the HTTP status code itself.

These sub-codes provide extra details about the error, but they're not part of the standard HTTP status code.

Nginx expands the 4xx error space to signal issues with the client's request. This means that if there's a problem with the way a client is making a request, Nginx will return a specific error code to indicate the issue.

The 4xx error space is a range of error codes used by web servers to signal issues with the client's request. Nginx uses this space to provide more detailed information about what went wrong.

Nginx is a popular web server software known for its reliability and high performance. Its ability to expand the 4xx error space makes it easier to diagnose and fix issues related to client requests.

By returning custom error codes, Nginx helps developers identify and resolve problems more efficiently. This is especially useful in large-scale web applications where errors can be difficult to track down.

HTTP status codes play a crucial role in SEO, and understanding them is essential for website owners and professionals.

Knowing the cause of an issue is key to fixing it, and that's where status codes come in. They provide valuable information about what's happening on your website.

Understanding the status codes with the biggest impact on SEO is vital for every professional SEO and website owner. These codes are the most important for SEOs.

A custom 404 page can be a great solution to handle errors, but sometimes a 301 redirect is a better option to send visitors to the right place. This powerful redirect can make a big difference in your website's SEO.