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Detecting 404 Error Pages Automatically in WordPress

by abelacts
5 replies
While I was doing migration from Joomla to WordPress for one of my blogs, I found a WordPress plugin that helps me to detect any 404 errors without any effort.

I thought it would be nice to share with you here if you are looking for the same solution.

My initial intention was to find out which old links in Joomla that were broken and redirect them to new WordPress links.

I thought I would stop using this plugin once the migration was completed. Until now, I am still using it - just for the purpose of detecting error pages on my site so that I can fix them whenever possible.

The best part of it is it is done automatically and an email is sent to me if an error is detected.

Here is the WordPress plugin that helps me: Useful 404's

Follow the instructions on the page to install the plugin.

Once you install and activate the plugin, you have to put this piece of code (<?php useful404s(); ?>) in your theme's 404 page by going to WordPress Dashboard: Appearance > Editor > 404 Template. Put the code right after the title or heading.

Next, in the plugin's settings page, you can activate or deactivate email notifications, and customize the email messages that you are going to receive.

You are set to go.

Whenever an error is detected, an email will be sent to you. Then it is your job to fix anything that is causing the error.

Next step... optional...

If you need to do a redirect 301 for broken links (like in my case), you can use Simple Redirect 301. It is a no-frills plugin but it gets the job done.
#404 #404 errors #automatically #detecting #error #pages #useful 404s #wordpress #wordpress plugin
  • Profile picture of the author cindyt
    Originally Posted by abelacts View Post

    While I was doing migration from Joomla to WordPress for one of my blogs, I found a WordPress plugin that helps me to detect any 404 errors without any effort.

    I thought it would be nice to share with you here if you are looking for the same solution.

    My initial intention was to find out which old links in Joomla that were broken and redirect them to new WordPress links.

    I thought I would stop using this plugin once the migration was completed. Until now, I am still using it - just for the purpose of detecting error pages on my site so that I can fix them whenever possible.

    The best part of it is it is done automatically and an email is sent to me if an error is detected.

    Here is the WordPress plugin that helps me: Useful 404's

    Follow the instructions on the page to install the plugin.

    Once you install and activate the plugin, you have to put this piece of code (<?php useful404s(); ?>) in your theme's 404 page by going to WordPress Dashboard: Appearance > Editor > 404 Template. Put the code right after the title or heading.

    Next, in the plugin's settings page, you can activate or deactivate email notifications, and customize the email messages that you are going to receive.

    You are set to go.

    Whenever an error is detected, an email will be sent to you. Then it is your job to fix anything that is causing the error.

    Next step... optional...

    If you need to do a redirect 301 for broken links (like in my case), you can use Simple Redirect 301. It is a no-frills plugin but it gets the job done.
    Thanks for sharing!
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    • Profile picture of the author BenjaminB
      This is the closest thread I could find to ask for help on what I am trying to do on my Wordpress site involving 404 errors. The Wordpress.org forum is pretty worthless for many issues and people rarely answer any inquiries so hopefully someone will find this here.

      I'm new to code and this is my first website,what I am trying to do is set up my 404 errors to redirect to the homepage. Is this possible to do and if so can someone tell me the code needed to do this and where I would insert it on the 404 editor page.

      Thanks in advance for anyone who answers.
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      Conversions have never been so easy!
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      • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
        Originally Posted by BenjaminB View Post

        The Wordpress.org forum is pretty worthless for many issues and people rarely answer any inquiries
        That's not true. I am very familiar with that forum and it is the best for WP related questions.

        Originally Posted by BenjaminB View Post

        I'm new to code and this is my first website,what I am trying to do is set up my 404 errors to redirect to the homepage.
        Anyway, here is the answer: put a php redirect (google it) in your 404.php file, redirecting them to your main URL.
        That's ot.
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  • Profile picture of the author James-
    There is another plugin called 'broken links' This pretty much does the same thing, finds all non-working links on your page be it 404/broken redirects or whatever...

    Pretty handy!
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    2 nuts walked into a bar, 1 was assaulted! :p

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