Rule n° 222 - The server sends a 404 HTTP error code for resources not found
This is not only to inform your visitor to an address error: it is also useful for various tools such as search engines. The call of an error in address should always result in a 404 (not found) by the server. Curiously, in some cases, the server or CMS used return a 404 error page accompanied by a code 200 (which means "OK, everything is fine").
Goal
- Enable the automated detection of incorrect URLs.
- Send reliable information to the browser.
- Reduce the energy impact related to the consultation of the site.
- Improve the way content is taken into account by search engines and indexing tools.
Solution technique
Modify the web server configuration to send the user to a customised page when the requested resource does not exist
If the main server configuration is not directly accessible and if the environment allows it, use a local configuration by directory. For example, the Apache environment authorises the creation of an .htaccess file containing directives relating to error handling: ErrorDocument 404 /mapage.html.
Moyen de contrôle
For each site checked:
- Enter the URL address of the site followed by random characters (such as http://www.example.com/lsghlshdgkjsdgk).
- Check with a development tool that the status shown is
404 not found.