Ultimate Guide to Understanding HTTP Status Codes

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 Having a functional and appealing website is something a business owner should view as a top priority. One of the main things you need to focus on when building and launching a website is how fast it loads. Most consumers expect websites to load in a matter of seconds. Testing your website speed with the help oftools by Google can help you find and pinpoint website speed and functionality issues in no time at all.

When a user of your website submits a request, an HTTP status code will be created as a response to this request. In essence, HTTP codes are a conversation between your website, the servers hosting it and the browser a user is navigating the Internet on. There are basically five different HTTP status code classifications you need to become familiar with. 

These codes can be used in conjunction with website error logs to find and fix problems with your domain. With the help of a program likePapertrail, keeping your website running efficiently will be easy.

The following are some of the HTTP status codes you need to become familiar with. 

The 200 HTTP Status Codes

If you are like most business owners, you want verification that your website is running correctly. If all you see being generated is 200 series status codes, then chances areyour website is in good shape. By closely monitoring the website, you can catch any HTTP error codes that happen immediately. The time and effort invested in this monitoring will pay off in the long run.

Status Code 301 and 302 are Redirects

Have you ever been surfing around online and encountered a HTTP code 301? Generally, this code indicates that the URL in question needs to be permanently redirected. Often times, this code will present itself when the website has moved to a new domain.

Generally, a redirect to the new URL will accompany a 301 code. The 302 status code is a bit similar to the 301. Business owners and website entrepreneurs that use this code will usually take a hit in the search engine rankings for doing so. Usually, the 302 code will confuse search engine crawlers, which can result in serious SEO problems.

Code 404 Means the Browse Can’t Find the Website

If consumers are presented with a 404 HTTP code, it means that the browser they are using can’t complete their request. This code if the online equivalent of hitting a brick wall. If visitors to your website are continuously hit with this error code, they will lose interest and seek out the help of your competitor.

The longer you wait to fix this issue, the harder you will find it to generate traffic and leads from your website. If you are unable to diagnose the cause of this HTTP error code on your own, then seeking out the help of professionals is essential. With their assistance, finding and fix the underlying cause of this problem is a must.

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500 HTTP Codes Indicate a Internal Service Error

One of the worst problems a visitor to your website can be confronted with is an HTTP 500 code. This code indicates the server that is hosting the website is down. This means that visitors will be unable to get on the website and look at the content. If this problem consistently happens, it can affect a business owner’s ability to generate leads from their website.

Getting Professional Help is a Must

When confronted with website functionality issues, working with knowledgeable professionals is vital. These professionals can troubleshoot and fix these problems in a hurry without a business owner having to lift a finger.

 Ashley Lipman

Content marketing specialist

Ashley is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing creative solutions for building brands online. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches.

From Miami, Florida

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