Let’s discuss how to How do I redirect the 404 error page and redirect it to the homepage from cPanel? to the homepage of cPanel.
Are you familiar with those annoying “Page Not Found” errors that appear when a user attempts to access a website that isn’t there?
They can seriously impact the user experience on your site and harm your ranking on search engines when they occur too frequently.
In the event that you are able toredirect the 404 error page to your homepage within cPanel, you can keep your visitors on your website instead of sending them to the dead-end site.
Additionally, this easy solution can improve your site’s SEO by telling the search engines that your site is maintained correctly.
In this tutorial I’ll teach you how to create this redirect in the cPanel interface, ensuring that your website remains user-friendly and optimized.
Understanding 404 Errors
Have you ever stumbled across a webpage that reads ” 404 Error“? Let’s look at what this is and why it’s so important.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error is displayed when a website server is unable to locate the page you’re searching for. This is usually the case if:
Broken Links: Links on pages do not exist anymore or were transferred without changing the link.
Pages that have been deleted: Content that has been removed.
Uncorrected URLs: Typos and errors in URL.
Server Problems: Problems with the server which is unable to locate the page.
Impact on User Experience and SEO
When you encounter a 404 error, it is a frustrating experience for visitors who are forced to abandon your site in a flash.
This could result in increased bounce rates and render the visitors more unlikely to come back.
To use SEO Search engines such as Google are aware that your website has a large number of errors in the form of 404.
A high number could hurt your rankings since it looks as if your site isn’t properly maintained.
Correcting these errors is essential to keep your users satisfied and increase your search engine rankings.
Preparing for the Redirect
Before you begin redirecting to a 404 error page within cPanel, Let’s ensure that everything is in place.
This is a quick guide to get you going:
Accessing cPanel
In the beginning, you must sign in to the account you have created. cPanel account. You can follow these instructions:
Start your browser on the web and type any of the following URLs
Using your domain: https://yourdomain.com/cpanel
server name: https://servername:2083
Using your server’s IP address: https://YourSitesIPAddress:2083
Input the details of your cPanel login and password.
Hit to click the “Log in” button. If your account supports 2-factor authentication enabled, then you’ll have to input the code in your application before you are able to login to cPanel.
Creating a Backup
Prior to making changes, it’s advisable to back up your site.
This way, you are able to make your site work again in the event of a problem that occurs in the redirection process.
Why Back Up Your Site?
The backup of your website helps protect your data from loss and enables you to recover quickly in the event that an unexpected event occurs, like malfunctions or errors during the configuration of your redirect.
How to create a backup in cPanel
1. Log into your cPanel account.
2. Navigate to”Files,” click on the “Files” section and click on “Backup.”
3. On the backup interface, you have the option to choose to download a complete backup or just a few databases or files. For a full backup
Click “Download a full backup.
Please select the location for your backup data (usually, it is your personal directory).
Click “Generate Backup.”
Methods to redirect the 404 error page in the cPanel
If you’re looking to ensure that users are directed to your home page instead of being presented with an error page with 404, Here are a few simple methods for achieving this:
Method 1: Using .htaccess File
It’s easy to redirect the 404 error page to the home page using the .htaccess. This is how you can accomplish this using cPanel:
Access the File Manager
Log into your cPanel account.
Locate”the “file manage” under the “Files” section and click on it.
There’s the list of folders and files to your site’s files and folders.
Locate and Edit the .htaccess File.
Visit the directory that is at the base of your site (usually in the folder public_html).
Search for your .htaccess file. If you can’t find it, Click on the “Settings” button in the upper right corner and select “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).”
Right-click on the .htaccess file and then select “Edit” to open the code editor.
Add the Redirect Code
Include this code in your .htaccess file:
ErrorDocument 404 /index.phpThis instructs the server to redirect the 404 error page to your homepage via cPanel(adjust to the correct name if your homepage is named in a different way).
Save and Test the Changes
Select “Save Changes” in the editor.
Close the editor and go back into the File Manager.
Check the redirection by entering a URL that is not present within your internet browser. If it is set up correctly, you will be directed to your homepage.
Method 2: Using cPanel Redirects Interface to Redirect the 404 error page
If you prefer a visual interface over programming, the Redirects feature in cPanel is an option that is simple to use:
Navigate to the Redirects Section
Log into your cPanel account.
Under the “Domains” section, click on the “Redirects” icon.
Set Up the Redirect
Select “Permanent (301)” as the redirect type to reap SEO advantages.
Choose the domain or subdomain to redirect.
Enter your homepage URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.com) in the “Redirects to” field.
You can choose to redirect both non-www and www pages and then check “Wild Card Redirect” if you would like all pages to be redirection.
“Add” to create the redirect “Add” to make the redirection.
Test the Redirect
Create a new tab on your browser and type in a non-existent URL.
You will be directed to your home page instead of the 404 error page.
Method 3: Using a WordPress Plugin (If Applicable)
If your website is running WordPress, the plugins can make it easier to redirect the 404 error page:
Install a Plugin
Log into your WordPress dashboard.
Go to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
Find a plugin that says “Redirection” or “All 404 Redirect to Homepage.”
Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
Configure the Plugin
To set up “Redirection,” go to “Tools” > “Redirection” and follow the set-up instructions.
To enable “All 404 Redirect to Homepage,” go to “Settings” > “All 404 Redirect to Homepage,” Enter your homepage URL, then enable the plugin.
Test the Redirect
Go to a page that is not on your website.
You will be directed to your home page.
Checking If Your Redirects Work
After you’ve created your redirect, you need to ensure that it’s functioning in a proper manner. Here’s an easy method of testing it:
Open a New Browser Tab: Type in a URL that doesn’t exist on your site, like https://yourdomain.com/nonexistentpage.
Enter: It will take you to your home page instead of an error page with 404.
Test a variety of URLsTest several URLs that need to be in use to ensure that the redirect works every time.
Using Online Tools to Confirm
To ensure that your redirects are functioning, You can make use of these helpful online tools:
Link Checker W3C: Enter your website’s URL to verify broken links, and to confirm the correct redirection.
Broken Link Checker: This WordPress plugin monitors your website for broken links and displays the redirect status of those links.
Dead Link Checker: Scan your website or any URL for dead links. Check whether they redirect correctly.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: This tool crawls your website for issues with technical aspects such as broken links or redirects. It will also provide you with complete reports.
Conclusion
Here’s the thing: Redirecting 404 error page to your home page within cPanel is essential for maintaining your website’s performance and ensuring that your customers are satisfied.
Use clever redirect strategies – whether via either the .htaccess file, the cPanel Redirects interface or WordPress plugins to ensure that visitors are directed to content that is useful instead of being stuck on pages that are error-prone.
This article has gone over various ways to set up redirects, the importance of ensuring they’re functioning, and a few tips for troubleshooting typical issues.
If you handle 404 errors correctly You not only ensure that you ensure that your site’s visitors are safe but also improve your site’s SEO.
Keep in mind that a clean website is a sign that you value your customers, which results in happier, more loyal customers.
