If you’re a Shopify store owner, you’re probably familiar with the 404 page not found error. This error occurs when a customer attempts to visit a page on your website and finds that the page doesn’t exist. This error can be frustrating for customers, and can lead to a decrease in conversions and sales. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix 404 page not found errors on your Shopify store. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a 404 page not found error is, the causes of this error on Shopify, how to troubleshoot and fix it, and tips for preventing it from happening in the future.

What Is a 404 Page Not Found Error?

A 404 page not found error is an HTTP status code that is used when a page is requested but can't be found. This error occurs when a URL is typed incorrectly, when a page is deleted or moved, or when a link is broken. When this error occurs, the browser displays a message that says “404 page not found”. This error can be confusing and frustrating for customers, and it can lead to lost sales and conversions.

How to Fix a 404 Page Not Found on Shopify?

Causes of 404 Page Not Found Errors on Shopify

There are several potential causes of 404 page not found errors on Shopify. The most common cause is a broken link or a typo in the URL. This can happen if you’ve changed the URL of a page without updating the links that point to it. Another common cause is the use of invalid characters in the URL. This can happen if you’re using special characters in the URL, such as an apostrophe.

Another cause of 404 page not found errors on Shopify is a deleted page. If you’ve deleted a page from your store, any links that point to that page will now display a 404 page not found error. Finally, if you’ve recently moved your store from one domain to another, any links that point to the old domain will now display a 404 page not found error.

How to Troubleshoot a 404 Page Not Found Error on Shopify

If you’re seeing a 404 page not found error on your Shopify store, the first step is to troubleshoot the issue. One of the best ways to do this is to use a tool like Google Search Console. This tool will help you identify broken links and other errors on your website. You can also use a tool like Screaming Frog to crawl your website and identify any broken links or other errors.

How to Fix a 404 Page Not Found Error on Shopify

Once you’ve identified the source of the 404 page not found error, the next step is to fix it. If the error is due to a broken link or a typo in the URL, you can simply update the link to point to the correct page. If the error is due to an invalid character in the URL, you can remove the character and update the link.

If the error is due to a deleted page, you can either create a new page or redirect the link to an existing page. Finally, if the error is due to a domain change, you can use a tool like Redirection to set up a 301 redirect from the old domain to the new domain.

Tips for Preventing 404 Page Not Found Errors on Shopify

There are several steps you can take to prevent 404 page not found errors on your Shopify store. First, make sure to use a tool like Screaming Frog to regularly crawl your website and identify any broken links or errors. You should also ensure that all of your links are up to date and point to the right pages.

Finally, make sure to use a tool like Redirection to set up redirects if you’ve changed the URL of a page or moved your store to a new domain. This will help ensure that any links pointing to the old URL or domain are automatically redirected to the new URL or domain.

Common Questions About 404 Page Not Found Errors on Shopify

Q: How do I know if I have a 404 page not found error on my Shopify store? 

A: You can use a tool like Google Search Console to identify any broken links or other errors on your website. You can also use a tool like Screaming Frog to crawl your website and identify any broken links or other errors.

Q: How do I fix a 404 page not found error on Shopify? 

A: If the error is due to a broken link or a typo in the URL, you can simply update the link to point to the correct page. If the error is due to an invalid character in the URL, you can remove the character and update the link. If the error is due to a deleted page, you can either create a new page or redirect the link to an existing page. Finally, if the error is due to a domain change, you can use a tool like Redirection to set up a 301 redirect from the old domain to the new domain.

Conclusion

A 404 page not found error can be frustrating for customers and can lead to lost sales and conversions. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix 404 page not found errors on your Shopify store. In this blog post, we discussed what a 404 page not found error is, the causes of this error on Shopify, how to troubleshoot and fix it, and tips for preventing it from happening in the future. By following these steps, you can ensure that your customers have a smooth and frustration-free experience on your Shopify store.

If you’re looking for help with troubleshooting and fixing 404 page not found errors on Shopify, our team of experienced Shopify experts can help. Contact us today to learn how we can help you optimize your Shopify store and increase conversions.