Things To Know About HTTP Status Code On Website

An HTTP status code is a kind of error message exhibited by the server relating to the status of the client request associated with access to a web page. In simpler words, it means the code was signalling that the origin server encountered some difficulty in processing your request.

HTTP error codes are categorized by the server’s response to the client’s request, and, in one way or another, they help in problem diagnosis. These server status codes are handy for knowing your site’s performance. It also helps to contribute to better site search engine optimization. This article is going to explain to you what these status codes mean and the types of HTTP status checker, giving an insight into some of the status codes that can really impact the SEO of your website. Read on the details of HTTP status code!

What is an HTTP Status Code?

When one enters a web page, the browser sends a request to the web server on what contents to display on a page. Upon processing this request, the server sends back the requested content together with an HTTP response code.

This status code would have three digits. The first one indicates the status type, while the second and third give a specific status code number within the range of the first.

But actually, that code exists within the HTTP header of the page, though by default, browsers don’t expose it. It can be inspected either by the built-in facility of the browser or via an HTTP header checker. The HTTP status codes are visible only in the failure of the server to process the request, bringing about the browser not showing the content asked for. For this reason, the code is more prone to be encountered as an Internet error code. Also, the typologies vary according to the problem that occurs.

Understanding Different Internet Codes and What They Signify

Several types of error codes will occur if you visit a website or create a website. What are those? Come on, look carefully here to find out

HTTP Status Code 1xx: Information

HTTP status codes in the 100 range signal that the server is actively handling the request. These codes represent transient conditions and typically include a status line along with an optional header section. The message concludes with an empty line. There are several important error codes that you should know about this 1xx code, including:

100 Code: Continue

Upon receiving the client’s request, the server acknowledges it and plans to proceed further. This code aims to assess if the server can accept the request without needing all the details immediately, thereby optimizing the process efficiency.

101 Code: Switching Protocols

Following receipt of the client’s request, the server opts to switch to a different communication protocol. This signifies the server’s readiness to adopt an alternative method for ongoing communication.

HTTP Status Code 2xx: Success code

This category contains codes that indicate successful processing of the client request by the server. There are also several important codes here that you should know, read this on the detail:

200 code: Okay

Http status code 200 is the standard response status code for a successful HTTP request. The server will send it along with the requested resources so that the web page can function normally.

The information displayed with this code depends on the selected request method:

GET request: contains the entities that correspond to the requested resource.
Request HEAD: contains the request header fields associated with the requested resource, excluding the request body.
POST Request: describes or contains the result of an action.
TRACE request: contains the request message received by the server.

204 Code: No Content

The server has successfully processed the request from the client, but no content will be sent back to the client. This is often used in operations where no content results need to be returned. For example, this error code may appear on a web page with a “save and continue” function. The client does not need to exit the web page after successfully saving changes.

There are a few step for fixed your problem on 204 status code:

Check client-side requests: Look into the client-side requests inside the AJAX or API that are being made, and they should have a response of 204. If it’s expecting a different response, then probably the client-side request needs to be adjusted.
Server-Side Logic: Inspect the server-side code that is receiving the requests on how it is being processed. Also, if the endpoint is meant to give some data in return, proper logic for returning respective content, or the status code other than 204 needs to be implemented as appropriate.
Adjust Endpoint Functionality: Whenever an endpoint is supposed to return some content, but apparently returns 204, then the code should be adjusted so that it is able to create and properly return the needed data. Probably, it has to be something about fetching from the database or processing data differently.
Update the API documentation and set client expectations: Explicitly state, at the places within your API documentation where a 204 status is expected but no useful response is given, under what circumstances a 204 might be returned, with equal clarity, in your API documentation. Make them known to your API users to prevent ambiguous situations among the developers.
Debugging and Logging: Perform implementation and enhance logging at both the client and server sides. This helps one to trace why a 204 is being returned, giving a clue about what data flow and decision-making in the code will be.
Handle 204 Responses in Client-Side Code: Make sure your client-side code gracefully handles a 204 response by, at the very least, either redirecting the user or possibly giving a user-friendly message, depending on the context of your application.

HTTP Status Code 3xx: Redirect

Next, we’ll explore the Redirects category. This category includes code that notifies the client that a location change or redirect needs to be performed to get a response from the server. There are several 3xx redirect error codes that you should know about.

300 Code: Multiple Choice

When the server encounters multiple filename extensions or uncertainties in the request, it presents the client with various redirection options.

301 Code: Moved Permanently

In the realm of permanent change, the server executes a lasting redirection, informing the client that the resource has found a permanent residence at a new URL, duly noted in the Location header. Search engines dutifully reroute all traffic from the old domain to the new one upon encountering 301 HTTP status code.

There are steps to know how to fix the moved permanently status (301) on your website. Here are the steps:

Check the URL Redirects: All URL Redirects on the server must be valid. Verify that these redirects are properly set and pointed to valid URLs. Any misconfiguration will lead to unwanted status codes of 301.
Update Server Configuration: Sometimes, it could be your server configuration that’s making those permanent redirects. You will need to review and update the settings, ensuring that the server is not enforcing unwanted 301 redirects.
Check for Hard-coded URLs: Examine your site’s code for hard-coded URLs; such URLs may be either outdated or pointing incorrectly to permanently moved URLs. Update these URLs, if needed.
Use Tools for Diagnosing Redirects: Consider using online tools or browser extensions that help diagnose and trace the path of URL redirects. This can clarify where the redirects are occurring and assist you in fixing them.
Consult the Documentation: Refer to your server’s documentation to better understand how redirects are managed and how to modify them properly.

By tackling these critical points, you can masterfully resolve any issues related to the 301 status code on your website.

HTTP Status Code 4xx : Client Error

Now, let’s focus on the Client Error category. Here, we’ll see code that indicates an error originating from the client, such as an invalid request or inappropriate permissions. Pay attention to the important error codes here because this code is the type of code that we get more often when surfing the internet.

400 Error Code: Bad Request

The server cannot process the request from the client because there is an error in the request. This can happen if the request is inappropriate or invalid.

To fix a Http status code 400 (Bad Request) error on your website, consider these steps:

Check Input Data: Ensure that the data sent by the client (e.g., form data, URL parameters) is correctly formatted and meets the server’s expectations. Errors in the input data often cause 400 errors.
Validate Request Headers: Review and validate the request headers. Incorrect or incomplete headers can trigger a 400 error.
Review Server-Side Validation: Examine the server-side validation rules. Ensure they are accurate and not too restrictive, which could mistakenly reject valid requests.
Error Handling and Logging: Enhance your error handling and logging mechanisms to provide more detailed information about what specific aspect of the request is causing the 400 error. This can help in pinpointing the exact issue.
Test Thoroughly: Perform thorough testing to identify any potential issues that could lead to 400 errors. Use tools to simulate requests and scenarios that might cause these errors to ensure all possible cases are covered.

By systematically addressing these areas, you can identify and resolve the root causes of Bad Request (400) errors on your website.

401 Error Code: Unauthorized

The client does not have authorization to access the requested content. This demands authentication from the client. The response should include a WWW authentication header field that contains information about what the user should do if they still want to access the password-protected resource.

To address a http status code 401 Unauthorized error effectively, you can take the following steps:

Verify User Credentials: Ensure that all user-provided credentials are valid. The most common reason for 401 errors is incorrect credentials being provided
Check Authentication Mechanisms: Examine your application’s authentication mechanisms for correctness in their implementation and operational behavior.
Check Server Configuration: Review your server configurations to verify whether it supports the requested authentication method. If it’s not configured to allow the necessary authentication, this can lead to a 401 error.
Access Rights Check: Ensure that the user has the necessary access rights to the requested resources. A 401 error may occur if the required permissions are not properly set.
Log and Analyze Authentication Failures: Make sure that logging for authentication failures is activated. This will help you identify patterns or recurring issues that lead to 401 errors.

By following these steps, you can effectively resolve 401 Unauthorized errors in your application.

403 Error Code: Forbidden

The most common cause is insufficient permissions. For example, a user with the Author role tries to access a page specific to the Editor role.

To fix a http status cod 403 (Forbidden) error on your website, you should consider the following steps:

Verify Permissions: Ensure that the user has permission to access the requested resource. Lack of proper permissions is a common cause of 403 errors.
Review Server Configuration: Examine your server settings to ensure they are not incorrectly configured to deny access to certain resources or IP addresses.
Examine URL Patterns and Routing: Check that the URL patterns and routing rules within your application are set up correctly. Misconfigured routes can lead to 403 errors.
Check for IP Blocklisting: Make sure that the user’s IP address has not been mistakenly blocklisted in the server settings, which could lead to a 403 error.
Make the Resource Accessible: If necessary, update the accessibility settings of the resource to ensure it is not overly restricted to specific user roles or groups.

Following these steps, it can help you effectively problem and resolve the Forbidden (403) error on your website.

404 Error Code: Not Found

The server cannot find the content requested by the client. This indicates that the required resources do not exist. The error message for this code may vary depending on the browser used. A number of websites, including Pixie Digital, have also adapted it to include a brief explanation of the error. The most common causes of this error include URL typos, cache issues, and incomplete domain propagation.

To fix a “404 Not Found” error on your website, you can follow these steps:

Check the URL: Make sure there are no typographical errors or incorrect URLs, which are the most common cause of a 404 error.
Verify the Links: Check all of your website links to ensure they are not broken and lead to the intended pages. You can use tools to automate the process of finding and fixing broken links.
Review Server Configuration: Carefully review your server’s configuration, particularly how it handles URLs and redirects. Incorrect settings could be a reason for pages not being found.
Update the Sitemap: Ensure that your sitemap is up-to-date and accurately lists all the pages on your site. This helps search engines and users find content more easily.
Implement Redirects: If pages have been moved or deleted, set up appropriate redirects to their new locations. This prevents users from landing on 404 pages and improves the user experience.

405 Error Code: Method Not Allowed

The server cannot process the request from the client because the method used is not permitted.

408 Error Code: Request Timeout

Http status code 408 means the server cannot process the request from the client because the request timed out. Since these internet errors are mostly caused by slow connections or errors in the URL, users can repeat the request at a later time without needing to change the content.

To fix a “request timeout” error on a website, you can try the following steps:

Check Network Connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and fast enough. Sometimes, slow or unstable connections can cause timeouts.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Overloaded or corrupted caches and cookies can hinder website performance. Clearing these might help resolve the issue.
Try a Different Browser: If the issue persists, try accessing the website from a different browser to see if the problem continues.
Check Server Load: If you’re the website administrator, check the server load. High traffic can cause server slowdowns and timeouts. Consider scaling server resources or optimizing the server.
Optimize Web Application Code: For developers, optimizing code and database queries can help reduce response times and avoid timeouts.
Increase Server Timeout Settings: If possible, increasing the timeout settings on the server might prevent the error, especially for processes that naturally take longer.
Contact Your Hosting Provider: If you suspect the issue is with the hosting service or server hardware, contact your hosting provider for further assistance. This step you can try if all of steps we explain can’t be fixed.

429 Error Code: Too Many Requests

The server rejected a request from the client because too many requests were made in a short time.

HTTP Status Code 500: Server Error

When you see “Server Error” as an HTTP status code, it’s like the server raising its hand to say, “Oops, something’s gone wrong on my end!” This code is a way for the server to tell you that it’s having trouble handling requests from users. Now, let’s dive into what each of these 500-series status codes means in a bit more detail.

500 Status Code: Internal Server Error

The initial category within the 500 class http status code denotes a circumstance where the server has encountered an unexpected issue, rendering it incapable of fulfilling the client’s request. Such occurrences may stem from programmatic errors or misconfigurations within the server.

501 Status Code: Not Implemented

The 501 http status code signifies that the server lacks support for the functionality sought by the client in their request. This scenario unfolds when the client endeavors to utilize a feature that has yet to be incorporated into the server’s capabilities.

502 Status Code: Bad Gateway

The 502 http status code indicates that the server acts as an intermediary or proxy between the client and another server, yet the latter encounters a challenge in processing a request from the former. Such instances may arise when the secondary server experiences downtime or becomes inaccessible to the primary server.

503 Status Code: Service Unavailable

If this code arises, it indicates that the server is unable to handle the request due to either an internal error or its inaccessibility. This situation may occur during server maintenance, when it is overloaded, or experiencing high demand on this website error code.

504 Status Code: Gateway Timeout

The Gateway Timeout status code means that the server acts as a gateway or proxy, yet the designated secondary server fails to respond within the prescribed time frame. This error often unfolds when the secondary server is offline or inaccessible.

505 Status Code: HTTP Version Not Supported

This HTTP Version showing Not Supported status indicates that the server cannot accommodate the HTTP version employed by the client in the request on the website. This may occur if the client attempts to use an unsupported HTTP version.

To fix a 505 HTTP Version Not Supported error, you can follow these steps:

Upgrade Server Software: Ensure that your server software is updated to support the HTTP versions that clients are using. Older server software might not support newer HTTP protocols, which is a common cause of the 505 error.
Check Client Requests: Examine the HTTP version specified in the clients’ requests. Make sure that clients are not using an HTTP version that your server does not support.
Server Settings Configuration: Adjust your server settings to specifically support the most commonly used HTTP versions by your clients. This might involve modifying configuration files or updating the server software.
Test Compatibility: After implementing changes, test the server-client compatibility by sending requests from different clients to ensure the server responds correctly without returning a 505 error.
Monitor and Log: Implement monitoring and logging to capture and analyze any future occurrences of the 505 error. This will help you quickly address issues that may arise due to changes in client behavior or server configurations.

By taking these steps, you can effectively resolve the 505 HTTP Version Not Supported error and ensure smooth server-client interactions.

507 Status Code: Insufficient Storage

In this instance. The server is incapable of processing the request due to insufficient storage capacity. This error will begin when the server lacks the necessary space to store the website data requested by the client.

599 Status Code: Network Connect Timeout Error

When the status code 599 appears on the website, it signifies that the network connection on the server has been timed out. Typically, this error occurs when the server is unreachable due to network issues or a poor internet connection on website error code.

520 Status Code: Unknown Error

This code manifests when the server necessitates authentication for accessing a resource, and the client must authenticate over the requisite network. It is commonly utilized when the server safeguards resources with a firewall or other filters.

Will this HTTP Status Code interfere with SEO on the website?

In the world of SEO, HTTP status and error codes are like little signals that help search engines, such as Google, understand how good or relevant a web page is. Think of HTTP status codes as messages sent between a website and your computer. They let you know if your request, like, loading a page was successful or if something went wrong.

For instance, when you see “200 OK,” it’s like getting a thumbs-up. Everything went smoothly. But if you see “404 Not Found,” it’s like hitting a dead end. The page you’re looking for isn’t there. And “500 Internal Server Error” is like a server hiccup, it couldn’t handle your request at the moment.

Search engines really depend on these status codes to figure out if a webpage is easy to access and if its content is fresh and relevant. If they run into problems loading a page or see an error code, they might decide not to show it in search results.

Plus, search engines pay attention to error codes like “404 Not Found” to decide if they should keep a page in their index or remove it. So, sticking to Google’s SEO rules and staying on top of these codes is super important for making sure your website shines in search results!

Utilize HTTP Status Code to Troubleshoot your Website!

That is a detailed explanation starting from what is meant by an error code, the types of status codes, to an explanation of the impact on SEO if an HTTP status error occurs. If you still want to ask about more details about this error code, we at Pixie Digital will be ready to help with various problems on your website. What’s more, we also provide SEO services that will make your website soar higher in Google searches. And also, we also have website development services that will make your website safe for users to visit. So, let’s make your website safe from all error codes.