What are HTTP Status Codes? What does it mean?

HTTP status codesare three-digit numbers that indicate the “status” of responses from a web server. They play an important role in the communication that occurs between the client (for example, a web browser) and the server.

Thanks to these codes, information is obtained about the status of the requests and possible resolution of errors They show the way.

Why is it important to know HTTP status codes?

Knowing HTTP status codes is important for the health of your website and user experience. Also, search engine optimization i.e. SEO They are also of critical importance. For example, errors such as 404 (Not Found) or 500 (Server Error) can negatively impact user experience and your site’s performance in search engines.

The importance of HTTP for SEO

HTTP status codes can affect how a website is indexed and ranked by search engines. Through these codes, Whether your site is running smoothly or not and you can understand whether it is optimized for search engines or not.

What do HTTP status codes mean?

• 1xx (Informative): The process continues.
• 2xx (Success): The request has been successfully received, understood and processed.
• 3xx (Redirect): Additional actions are required to complete the request.
• 4xx (Client Error): The request is incorrect or cannot be performed.
• 5xx (Server Error): The server cannot fulfill the request

What are the most common status codes?

Most common HTTP status codes include 404 (Not Found), 500 (Server error), 301 (Permanent redirect), and 302 (Temporary redirect). These codes are vital to the health of your website.

What are HTTP status code errors and solutions?

HTTP status code errors cause your website to performance in search engines and directly affects the user experience. There are different reasons behind each error and customized solutions are required according to these reasons. Let’s take a closer look at two common errors and their solutions:

404 Error (Not Found)

This error, which users encounter when they try to reach a page that does not exist, usually occurs as a result of entering the wrong URL or removing the page. To resolve such errors, the first step is to identify dead links on your website. Tools like Google Search Console help you identify these links. Especially within the scope of SEO studies, it is important to fix dead links or use permanent 301 redirects that will direct you to relevant content. To improve user experience, you can create customized 404 pages that redirect the user to your home page or a related page.

500 Error (Internal server error)

This error is usually It is caused by server-related problems. and blocks the processing of the website. Reviewing the server configuration, reviewing error logs, and contacting your hosting provider when necessary are steps to take to resolve this issue.

Editor’s note: Hello, I am Gizem Sayan, I work as SEO Executive at Webtures. Today we discussed HTTP status codes, the unsung heroes of the internet world. These codes are passwords that allow us to understand the language of websites and are critical to our SEO success. This guide will help you navigate the maze of HTTP status codes. Remember, understanding these codes and managing them correctly is one of the keys to your website’s success in search engines.