What can I do to fix the 404 errors and page redirect issues on my Webflow site that are affecting my SEO and page ranking?

Published on
September 22, 2023

To fix the 404 errors and page redirect issues on your Webflow site that are affecting your SEO and page ranking, you can follow these steps:

  1. Identify and analyze the 404 errors:
  • Use a tool like Google Search Console or a website crawler to identify the URLs on your site that result in 404 errors.
  • Understand the reasons behind those errors, such as broken links, deleted pages, or incorrect URL structures.
  1. Update or replace the broken links:
  • If the 404 errors are caused by broken external links pointing to your site, contact the website owners and ask them to update the links.
  • If the broken links are internal, make sure to fix them by updating the URLs or creating proper redirects.
  1. Set up 301 redirects:
  • For any pages that have been moved, renamed, or deleted, it is crucial to set up 301 redirects to redirect visitors and search engines to the correct pages.
  • In Webflow, you can set up redirects using the "Page Settings" panel or using custom code if needed.
  1. Test the redirects:
  • After setting up the 301 redirects, test them to ensure they are functioning correctly. Use tools like the "Fetch as Google" feature in Google Search Console or online redirect checkers.
  1. Update sitemap and resubmit to search engines:
  • Make sure your sitemap is updated and includes the correct URLs for your pages, including any redirects.
  • Submit the updated sitemap to search engines like Google and Bing to ensure they have the latest information about your site's structure.
  1. Monitor and fix ongoing issues:
  • Regularly check your website for any new 404 errors and fix them promptly to maintain a good user experience and improve your SEO ranking.
  • Consider implementing a custom 404 page that helps visitors find what they are looking for and encourages them to explore other parts of your site.

Implementing these steps will help you fix the 404 errors and page redirect issues on your Webflow site, ultimately improving your SEO and page ranking.

Additional questions:

  1. How can I use the 'Fetch as Google' feature in Google Search Console to test my page redirects?
  2. What are some best practices for creating effective 301 redirects on a Webflow site?
  3. Are there any Webflow plugins or integrations available to help with managing and monitoring 404 errors and page redirects?