How to Fix Not Found (404) Pages in Google Search Console

How to Fix “Not Found (404)” Errors Using 301 Redirects in PhotoBiz

Overview

Google Search Console may report a “Not Found (404)” error when a URL on your website no longer works. This can happen if you rename a page, delete a page, change a page URL, or create a custom friendly URL.

A 404 error means visitors and search engines are trying to access a page that cannot be found. If the old URL has a new or related destination, you can fix the issue by creating a 301 redirect in your PhotoBiz Website Builder.

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that automatically sends visitors and search engines from the old URL to the correct page. This guide walks you through how to find 404 errors in Google Search Console and create a redirect in your PhotoBiz account.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have access to:

Your Google Search Console account
Your PhotoBiz account
The PhotoBiz Website Builder
The old URL that is showing the 404 error

Important Note About Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a Google product and is not managed by PhotoBiz. PhotoBiz can help you create 301 redirects inside your PhotoBiz Website Builder, but questions about Google Search Console reports, validation timelines, indexing status, or Google account access should be directed to Google.

For help with Google Search Console, visit Google Search Console Help:
https://support.google.com/webmasters/?hl=en#topic=9128571

Google Search Console may take several days or a few weeks to update after you create a redirect. PhotoBiz does not control how quickly Google reviews, validates, or clears reported 404 errors.

When Should You Use a 301 Redirect?

Use a 301 redirect when an old URL has a new or related page where visitors should go instead. This is helpful when you have renamed a page, updated a friendly URL, removed an old page, or changed your website structure.

For best results, redirect the old URL to the closest matching page on your website. Avoid redirecting every broken URL to your homepage unless there is no better destination.

You do not need to redirect every 404 error. If a page was removed intentionally and there is no replacement or related page, it may be okay to leave it as a 404.

STEP ONE

Log in to your Google Search Console account and click Pages in the left-side menu. This area shows indexing information for your website, including pages that Google could not find or index.

STEP TWO

Scroll down to the section labeled Why pages aren't indexed and click Not found (404). This will open a report of URLs that Google found but could not access because the page no longer exists at that address.

STEP THREE

Review the list of affected URLs. Click one of the listed URLs to view the exact broken link that needs attention.

Copy the URL from Google Search Console so you can use it when creating your redirect in PhotoBiz. Make sure you are copying the old URL that is showing the 404 error, not the page where you want visitors to go next.

STEP FOUR

Log in to your PhotoBiz account and click Website in the left-side menu. This opens the PhotoBiz Website Builder, where you can manage your website pages, settings, and navigation.

STEP FIVE

Click Settings at the top center of the Website Builder control panel. This opens the settings options for your website.

STEP SIX

Click Redirects from the settings list. This is where you can create and manage redirects for URLs on your PhotoBiz website.

STEP SEVEN

The redirect settings panel will open on the right side of your control panel. In the Original URL field, paste the broken URL from Google Search Console.

In the Redirect To field, choose where visitors should be sent when they visit the old URL. Depending on your account and content, redirect options may include:

None: No redirect destination is selected.
External Link: Send visitors to a page outside your PhotoBiz website.
Page: Send visitors to a page within your PhotoBiz website.
Form: Send visitors to one of your PhotoBiz forms.
Email Marketing: Send visitors to one of your email campaigns.
File: Send visitors to a document or file from your PhotoBiz Files.

Choose the most relevant destination for the broken URL. For example, if the old URL was for a pricing page, redirect it to your current pricing page instead of your homepage.

After you select the redirect destination, click Create Redirect to save the 301 redirect.

You’ll see a list of all your current redirects below, so you can easily manage and edit them if needed.

FINAL STEP

Return to Google Search Console and click Validate Fix for the 404 issue. This lets Google know you have corrected the problem and would like the affected URLs reviewed again.

Google does not provide an exact timeline for validation. It can take several days or a few weeks for Google Search Console to recrawl the URL and update the report.

Once your redirect is in place, visitors who use the old URL will automatically be sent to the new destination you selected.

Additional Options or Helpful Notes

A 301 redirect is best for permanent URL changes. If you changed a page name, updated a friendly URL, or replaced an old page with a new one, a 301 redirect helps visitors and search engines find the correct content.

When choosing a redirect destination, use the most relevant page available. Redirecting unrelated pages to your homepage may confuse visitors and may not provide the best search experience.

You can return to the Redirects section of your Website Builder at any time to view and manage your existing redirects.

Troubleshooting or FAQs

Why is Google Search Console still showing the 404 error after I created the redirect?

Google Search Console may not update right away. After you click Validate Fix, Google needs time to recrawl the URL and confirm the redirect. This process can take several days or a few weeks.

Google Search Console is managed by Google, not PhotoBiz. If you have questions about your Google Search Console report, validation status, indexing details, or Google account access, visit Google Search Console Help:
https://support.google.com/webmasters/?hl=en#topic=9128571

Should I redirect every 404 error?

No. You only need to create a redirect when there is a useful replacement page or related destination. If the page was intentionally removed and there is no similar content, leaving the URL as a 404 may be acceptable.

Can I redirect an old URL to a page outside my PhotoBiz website?

Yes. If the redirect destination is on another website, choose External Link and enter the external URL.

Can I redirect an old page to a form, file, or email campaign?

Yes. The Redirects tool can send visitors to different types of content in your PhotoBiz account, including pages, forms, files, and email campaigns, depending on the options available in your account.

What causes 404 errors?

Common causes include deleted pages, renamed pages, changed friendly URLs, old links from other websites, outdated bookmarks, or links that were shared before your website structure changed.

PRO TIP!

Google doesn’t give a specific timeline for validating fixes — it can take a few days to a few weeks, so don’t worry if it doesn’t update right away! Now that you have a redirect in place, visitors to the URL that previously showed a 404 error will land on the page you've redirected it to.

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