What Is 4xx Status Codes and Why are they Important?

Every time you browse the internet, the website responds with status codes that signify the outcome of your request. One of the many status codes you may have encountered is the 4xx status code. These codes are client error status codes, providing information about the client-side requests with errors such as incorrect URLs or unauthorized access attempts. In this blog post, we will discuss what 4xx status codes are, why they are important, how they work, provide examples, and answer common questions.

4xx status codes are an HTTP status code family that indicates a client’s request was unsuccessful. These codes inform the client that the error occurred on their end and are due to issues like incorrect URLs, inadequate authentication or authorization, or receiving invalid inputs. Due to these errors, the server cannot fulfill the client’s request, so this status code family is an essential tool when browsing online.

Why use 4xx Status Codes?

Using 4xx status codes provide your customers with a clear understanding of the issue. It ensures that responses are accurate and concise, delivering precise error information that can be used to resolve the issue that led to the client error. In turn, clients can quickly identify the issue and prevent wasting time trying to figure out why the request failed. This response aids web developers in identifying issues with their site, allowing them to rectify it quickly and efficiently.

Why is it important?

4xx status codes are critical in helping web developers and marketers to optimize their sites and minimize client errors online. When any of your web pages return 4xx status codes, this issue can directly affect your page’s search ranking on search engines like Google and Bing. Therefore, through using 4xx status codes, website owners can also improve their SEO by ensuring their website remains error-free.

How does it work?

When clients make a request to a site, the server generates a response code as well as additional information (e.g. headers). In the case where the client makes an error, the server will provide a 4xx status code, signifying what went wrong. These status codes are structured to allow web developers to analyze problems and correct them quickly, saving time and resources. The 4xx status code will come along with a response message that describes the error, making it easy to determine the issue.

Examples

Some common 4xx status codes you may have encountered include 404 (not found), which indicates the server could not find the requested resource, 401 (unauthorized), telling the client they lack proper authentication, and 403 (forbidden), indicating the request was made but not allowed due to a lack of access. Other 4xx status codes include 405 (Method not Allowed), 400 (Bad Request), 408 (Request Timeout), and many more.

Common Questions and answers

Are 4xx status codes bad for my website?

Yes, they are. 4xx status codes indicate a client-side error that can directly affect your website’s search engine ranking and user experience.

Do I need to fix 4xx status codes immediately?

Yes, you do. Fixing 4xx status codes as quickly as possible will lead to a more consistent and optimized website. This, in turn, will improve your SEO and user experience.

4xx status codes are client error status codes that provide valuable insight into problems on your website. Proper analysis of frequent 4xx status codes can help web developers identify potential issues and fix error occurrences proactively. With this guide, we hope we have provided sufficient information about 4xx status codes and how it can help optimize your website. We recommend that you monitor your site’s 4xx status codes, fix errors when they happen and keep your site running smoothly.