What are HTTP Status Codes? What is their meaning?

In this content, we have prepared a guide to HTTP status codes that will particularly benefit our readers engaged in SEO activities. Here are the HTTP status codes and their meanings…

HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers that indicate the “status” of responses from a web server. They play an important role in the communication between the client (e.g., a web browser) and the server.

These codes provide information about the status of requests and guide the way to resolve potential errors.

Why should we know HTTP status codes?

Knowing HTTP status codes is important for the health of your website and user experience. Additionally, they are critical for search engine optimization (SEO). For example, errors like 404 (Not Found) or 500 (Server Error) can negatively impact user experience and your site’s performance in search engines.

The Importance of HTTP for SEO

HTTP status codes can impact how a website is indexed and ranked by search engines. Through these codes, you can determine whether your site is functioning properly and optimized for search engines.

HTTP status codes and their meanings

• 1xx (Informational): Request received, continuing process.
• 2xx (Successful): The request was successfully received, understood, and processed.
• 3xx (Redirection): Additional action is required to complete the request.
• 4xx (Client Error): The request contains bad syntax or cannot be fulfilled.
• 5xx (Server Error): The server cannot fulfill the request.

What are the most common status codes?

Some of the most common HTTP status codes include 404 (Not Found), 500 (Server Error), 301 (Permanent Redirect), and 302 (Temporary Redirect). These codes are of vital importance for the health of your website.

What are the HTTP status code errors and their solutions?

HTTP status code errors directly affect the performance of your website on search engines and user experience. Each error has different underlying reasons, requiring customized solutions accordingly. Let’s take a closer look at two common errors and their solutions:

404 Error (Not Found)

When users attempt to access a non-existent page, they encounter this error, typically resulting from entering a wrong URL or the page being removed. To address such errors, the first step is to identify broken links on your website. Tools like Google Search Console assist in identifying these links. Especially within the scope of SEO efforts, it’s crucial to fix broken links or utilize 301 permanent redirects to redirect to relevant content. To enhance user experience, you can create customized 404 pages that redirect users to your homepage or a relevant page.

500 Error (Internal Server Error)

This error typically arises from server-side issues and prevents the website from being processed. Reviewing the server configuration, inspecting error logs, and contacting your hosting provider when necessary are steps to resolve this issue.