A 404 error means the server could not find the page or file requested by the browser. The website may still be online, but the specific URL does not lead to a current page.
For a small business website, a 404 can happen after renaming a page, deleting content, changing URLs, moving a site, editing redirects, or sharing the wrong link.
A 404 Does Not Always Mean the Whole Site Is Down
If one page shows a 404 but the homepage works, the problem is probably limited to that URL.
If every page shows a 404, the issue may be broader. It could involve permalinks, redirects, missing site files, a failed migration, incorrect document root, or a website platform setting.
Start by checking whether the error affects:
- One page
- A group of pages
- Blog posts only
- Product pages only
- The homepage
- The whole website
That scope tells you where to look next.
Common Reasons for a 404
A 404 can appear when:
- The URL was typed incorrectly
- The page was deleted
- The page URL changed
- A redirect is missing
- WordPress permalinks need to be refreshed
- A migration moved content to a different path
- A file was uploaded to the wrong folder
- A product, post, or service page was unpublished
- The link came from an old search result
Some 404s are harmless. For example, if someone types a fake URL, the site should return a 404. The problem is when real customers or search engines are trying to reach a page that should exist.
Check the URL First
Look carefully at the address.
Check for:
- Spelling mistakes
- Extra spaces
- Missing words
- Wrong punctuation
- Old page names
- Uppercase and lowercase differences on some servers
- A missing slash or wrong subfolder
If the page works with a corrected URL, update the link wherever it appears.
Check Whether the Page Still Exists
If you use WordPress, search for the page or post in the dashboard.
Check:
- Published status
- Trash
- Drafts
- Private pages
- Page slug
- Parent page settings
- Product or post status
If the page was deleted by mistake, restore it from the trash or a backup if available.
Check Redirects After URL Changes
If you intentionally changed a page URL, add a redirect from the old URL to the new one.
Redirects help visitors, search engines, ads, email links, and social posts find the new page. Without a redirect, people using the old link may land on a 404.
This is especially common after redesigns, migrations, service page updates, and product changes.
WordPress Permalinks Can Cause 404s
WordPress permalinks control how page and post URLs are built.
Sometimes WordPress pages show 404 errors even though the content still exists. This can happen after migrations, plugin changes, server changes, or rewrite rule problems.
If you can access the dashboard, go to Settings > Permalinks and save the current settings without changing them. This can refresh WordPress rewrite rules.
Do this carefully and test the site afterward.
404s After a Website Move
If 404 errors appear after moving a website, check:
- Were all files copied?
- Was the database moved?
- Are redirects in place?
- Did the document root change?
- Are WordPress permalinks working?
- Did page URLs change during the redesign?
- Did old blog or product paths get missed?
Migrations often break old URLs if redirects were not planned before launch.
What to Do With Old Pages
Not every old URL needs to come back.
Use a redirect when the old page has a clear replacement. Restore the page if it was removed by mistake. Let it return 404 if the page is intentionally gone and there is no useful alternative.
For pages that used to bring visitors, leads, or search visibility, review carefully before deleting or redirecting.
Tech Help Canada’s on-page SEO checklist can help you review page URLs, links, and page-level details after content changes.
What to Check Before Asking for Help
Gather:
- The exact URL showing the 404
- Whether the homepage works
- Whether other pages work
- Whether the page was renamed or deleted
- Whether WordPress dashboard access works
- Any recent migration, plugin, redirect, or permalink change
- A screenshot of the error
If you are building or rebuilding a WordPress site and want hosting that supports WordPress setup, you can explore WordPress hosting through Tech Help Canada Hosting.
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