Not all 404s look like this.
(The image above was provided by google images)
Now what do you do? Try to find it again? Or just hit close and give-up?
For some of you, try again to see if there is chance to find it again which is good. However the most of you like me just hit close, give up and call it a night.
This problem happens on occurrence on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, etc. As well this is the type of problem which can lead low traffic and lower your page-rank on your SERP.
Yesterday, I read an article on a website called searchenginewatch.com, as I scrolled hit next, I stumbled upon an article called "How and When to 301Redirects vs Canonical" written by Brad Miller.
Brad miller briefly explains 2 solutions, 301-redirect and the Canonical.
The 301 HTTP status code provides information to both the customer and search engine that the old web page no longer exist or it has been moved to a new location and provides the link to new page.
Brad miller also explains that 301 Redirect method has some has some cons to it such as:
·
Inputting the status codes may not be feasible
sometimes.
·
It takes a bit longer for search engines to give
the page authority of the old one.
·
The 301 redirect is used incorrectly for the
wrong method to redirect the old page to the new page.
The Canonical on the other hand is different than the 301 redirect. Miller explains that it is used to provide the search engine the information on multiple pages of the same content with different URL’s and which one is the preferred web page.
This method as well has some cons to it:
·
Search engines don’t always pay close attention
to the method.
·
The misuse of the redirect method by not
including a large proportion of the content.
·
Another misuse of linking multiple pages by
linking everything back to the first page. This will cause other to be not visible
and confusion.
Overall, for SEO or Search Engine Optimizers, it’s ultimately up you what you choose is the right redirecting method.
To me, there is no right or wrong answer to it. It just depends what you want to use for?
My choice would be the 301 redirect because it allows the web owner or SEO to explain to both the customer and the search what has happened to the old site and provide a link to the new one.
The Canonical in my opinion is a little too complicated for my perspective.
How does this fit in with the college course that I’m taking you may ask?
Well, we learned that we have to be prepared for arrives when a website has to be moved or maintained or updated. Having a redirect plan for this problem can easily rectify the situation.
Redirecting allows customers to access to content without having to re-search the web and keeps the traffic flow of the website going. As well it helps the search engine understand what is happening to the website and makes them see connection from the old page to the new page.
Before I go, I would like to give thanks to Brad Miller the author of the article “How and When to use 301 Redirect vs. Canonical”.
The article certainly helped me understand the options that are available to SEO on redirecting and the importance to how to properly using these options. As well when is the perfect time to use them.
I would like to thank Search Engine Watch.com for providing this great article. If you like to read more articles or like get to know the digital side of the marketing world?
Click on this link: http://searchenginewatch.com/
Thank you guys for your time, it feels great be to be blogging again.
Come back for more posts to come on September 20th 2013 and more blog posts to come.
This is brad’s mind signing off.
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