As solopreneurs and small business owners, your website is your digital storefront. It’s often the first place people go to learn about your business. But what happens when a visitor lands on your website and something goes wrong? That’s where webpage errors come in.
What Is a Webpage Error?
A webpage error happens when a user tries to visit a webpage, but the browser can’t display it correctly. Instead of loading your content, the visitor sees an error message — or sometimes, nothing at all.
How Do Webpage Errors Impact Your Website?
- 🛑 Lose Visitors: Users may leave your site immediately and not return.
- 📉 Lower SEO Rankings: Search engines may reduce your website’s visibility.
- 💸 Lose Sales or Leads: Broken pages stop potential customers from taking action.
- 😕 Hurt Your Brand: Frequent errors make your business look unprofessional.
Types of Webpage Errors: Causes, Examples, and Fixes
Let’s look at the most common webpage errors, why they happen, and how to fix them.
1. 404 Error – Page Not Found
- Explanation: The server can’t find the page the user is trying to visit.
- Causes:
- Deleted or renamed pages
- Broken links
- Typo in the URL
- Fix:
- Set up 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones.
- Regularly check for broken links using tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog.
2. 500 Error – Internal Server Error
- Explanation: A general server error that prevents a page from loading.
- Causes:
- Faulty website code
- Broken plugins or themes
- Hosting server issues
- Fix:
- Deactivate plugins and test.
- Check your server logs.
- Contact your web host if needed.
3. 403 Error – Forbidden
- Explanation: The server understands the request but denies access.
- Causes:
- Incorrect file permissions
- Restricted access settings
- Fix:
- Adjust file or folder permissions.
- Update your site’s .htaccess or security settings.
4. 401 Error – Unauthorized
- Explanation: The user is trying to access a page that requires a login or credentials.
- Causes:
- Protected pages without proper access
- Incorrect login settings
- Fix:
- Check authentication rules.
- Ensure login details or access permissions are correct.
5. 502 Error – Bad Gateway
- Explanation: The server received an invalid response from another server.
- Causes:
- Server communication issues
- Hosting problems
- Fix:
- Clear browser cache.
- Restart your hosting service.
- Contact your hosting provider if it continues.
6. 503 Error – Service Unavailable
- Explanation: The server is temporarily unavailable.
- Causes:
- Server overload
- Maintenance mode
- Fix:
- Wait for the server to stabilize.
- Inform users about downtime using a friendly message.
7. 504 Error – Gateway Timeout
- Explanation: One server didn’t get a response in time from another server.
- Causes:
- Server response delay
- DNS issues
- Fix:
- Check server configuration.
- Contact your hosting provider.
8. Redirect Loops
- Explanation: The page keeps redirecting and never reaches the final destination.
- Causes:
- Incorrect redirect rules
- Conflicting plugin settings
- Fix:
- Use a redirect checker to identify the loop.
- Fix rules in your CMS or .htaccess file.
9. Mixed Content Errors
- Explanation: A secure (HTTPS) site tries to load some items (images, scripts) using HTTP.
- Causes:
- Embedded content using HTTP
- Fix:
- Update links to use HTTPS.
- Use SSL plugins like Really Simple SSL on WordPress.
10. Slow Page Load (Not an Error Code, but Critical)
- Explanation: A page takes too long to load, leading users to leave.
- Causes:
- Large images
- Too many plugins
- Poor hosting
- Fix:
- Compress images
- Use caching
- Choose fast hosting
Conclusion: Top 3 Webpage Errors to Focus On
Let’s end with the top 3 webpage errors that deserve your attention the most:
✅ 1. 404 Errors
- Why it matters: Breaks user trust and hurts SEO.
- Focus: Regularly audit and redirect broken links.
✅ 2. Slow Page Speed
- Why it matters: Affects user experience, mobile performance, and search rankings.
- Focus: Optimize images, reduce scripts, use caching.
✅ 3. 500 Server Errors
- Why it matters: It can bring down your entire site.
- Focus: Monitor for server or plugin issues and keep a backup.
Final Tip
Webpage errors are common but manageable. Run regular site checks, use simple tools like Google Search Console, and keep your website updated. Fixing these issues ensures your visitors have a smooth experience — and that’s good for business.
