A guide to common HTTP status codes and what they mean for website owners

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on common HTTP status codes and their implications for website owners. Understanding these status codes is crucial for monitoring the health and performance of your website, as they provide valuable insights into how servers and browsers are communicating. Below, we will break down the most frequently encountered status codes and explain what each one means for your website’s functionality and user experience.

Table of contents

Introduction

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web. Every time you click on a link, submit a form, or interact with a website, you are making an HTTP request to the server hosting that site. The server then responds with an HTTP status code that indicates the success or failure of the request.

HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers that provide information about the status of a request. There are five classes of status codes, ranging from 1xx informational responses to 5xx server error responses. Website owners need to understand these status codes to diagnose and troubleshoot issues with their websites.

In this guide, we will explore some of the most common HTTP status codes that website owners may encounter and explain what they mean:

200 OK: This status code indicates that the request was successful and that the server has returned the requested content. This is the most common status code and is what you want to see when accessing a website.
301 Moved Permanently: This status code indicates that the requested resource has been permanently moved to a new location. Website owners should use this code when redirecting old URLs to new ones to maintain search engine rankings.
404 Not Found: This status code indicates that the server could not find the requested resource. This can happen if a URL is mistyped or if the resource has been removed or moved without a proper redirect in place.
500 Internal Server Error: This status code indicates that there was an unexpected condition on the server that prevented it from fulfilling the request. Website owners should investigate this error to ensure their server is functioning correctly.
503 Service Unavailable: This status code indicates that the server is temporarily unable to handle the request due to being overloaded or undergoing maintenance. Website owners should monitor for this error and take appropriate action to resolve it.

Understanding these and other HTTP status codes can help website owners ensure that their sites are functioning correctly and provide a better user experience for visitors. By monitoring for these codes and responding appropriately, website owners can maintain the health and performance of their websites.

What is an HTTP Status Code?

HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers that are returned by a server in response to a request made by a client. They indicate the outcome of the request, whether it was successful or if there was an error. These status codes are an essential part of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which governs how information is transmitted over the internet.

These codes are divided into five categories:

1xx — Informational: The request has been received and the process is continuing.
2xx — Success: The request was successful.
3xx — Redirection: The client must take additional action to complete the request.
4xx — Client Error: The request contains bad syntax or cannot be fulfilled.
5xx — Server Error: The server failed to fulfill a valid request.

Each status code comes with a specific meaning, providing valuable information about what happened during the request-response cycle. Website owners can use these codes to troubleshoot issues, improve user experience, and optimize their websites for better performance.

Some common HTTP status codes that website owners should be familiar with include:

200 OK: This status code indicates that the request was successful, and the server has returned the requested content.
301 Moved Permanently: This code is used for permanent URL redirection, informing the client that the requested resource has been moved to a new location.
404 Not Found: A common error code that indicates the requested resource could not be found on the server.
500 Internal Server Error: This status code indicates a generic error message generated by the server. It signifies that something went wrong on the server side, and the request could not be completed.

Understanding these HTTP status codes can help website owners diagnose and resolve issues quickly, ensuring a smooth user experience on their websites.

Overview of Common HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes indicate the result of the server’s attempt to fulfil a client’s request. Understanding these status codes is essential for website owners to diagnose and troubleshoot issues that may arise during the browsing experience.

1. **1xx Informational Responses**Informational responses indicate that the request was received and understood. The server is processing the request and will return a final response at a later time.

2. **2xx Success**Success status codes indicate that the request was successfully received, understood, and accepted. The most common success code is 200, which means the request was successful.

3. **3xx Redirection**Redirection status codes inform the client that they must take further action to complete the request. For example, a 301 status code indicates a permanent redirect to a new URL.

4. **4xx Client Errors**Client error status codes indicate there was an issue with the request sent by the client. The most common client error code is 404, which means the requested resource was not found on the server.

5. **5xx Server Errors**Server error status codes indicate there was a problem on the server’s end when processing the request. The most common server error code is 500, which means there was an internal server error.

It’s important for website owners to monitor their server logs and pay attention to HTTP status codes to identify and resolve any issues that may arise. By understanding these status codes, website owners can provide a better browsing experience for their visitors.

1. 200 — OK

The HTTP status code 200 is one of the most common status codes you will encounter when dealing with websites. This status code indicates that the request has been successful and the server has returned the requested data to the client. In other words, when you see a 200 status code, it means that everything is working as it should.

Website owners should aim to see a 200 status code when users visit their site, as it signifies that the server was able to process the request and deliver the content successfully. If you are experiencing any issues with your site, checking for a 200 status code can help you determine if the server is responding correctly.

Common reasons for receiving a 200 status code include:

The server is up and running smoothly
The requested file or page exists and can be accessed
The server was able to process the request without any errors

Overall, a 200 status code is a positive indication that your website is functioning properly and delivering content to users without any issues. However, it is important to keep an eye out for any other status codes that may indicate potential problems with your site’s performance. Stay tuned for more insights on other common HTTP status codes!

2. 404 — Not Found

HTTP status code 404, also known as

3. 500 — Internal Server Error

When you encounter a 500 — Internal Server Error while browsing the internet, it means that there is a problem with the website’s server. This error is a generic message that indicates something has gone wrong on the website’s end, but it does not provide specific details about the issue.

There are various reasons why a server might return a 500 error. It could be due to a programming error in the website’s code, a misconfiguration on the server, or even an overloaded server. In some cases, the error could be caused by a problem with the database or an issue with the website’s hosting provider.

For website owners, encountering a 500 error can be frustrating as it can lead to a loss of traffic and potential revenue. It is important to address the issue promptly to ensure that your website is up and running smoothly.

If you encounter a 500 error while trying to access a website, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

Refresh the page: Sometimes, a 500 error is temporary and can be resolved by simply refreshing the page.
Clear your browser cache: Cached files could be causing the error, so try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.
Contact the website administrator: If the error persists, reach out to the website’s administrator to alert them of the issue.
Check the server logs: Website owners can check the server logs to identify the root cause of the error and take necessary actions to fix it.

Overall, a 500 — Internal Server Error can be a frustrating experience for both website visitors and owners. By understanding the possible causes of the error and taking proactive steps to address it, website owners can minimize downtime and ensure a seamless user experience for their visitors.

4. 301 — Moved Permanently

When a server returns a 301 status code, it is indicating that the requested resource has been permanently moved to a new location. This new location is typically specified in the response’s Location header. The 301 status code is often used when a website owner wants to redirect traffic from an old URL to a new one. This can be useful when restructuring a website or when moving content to a new domain.

It’s important for website owners to understand the implications of using a 301 redirect. When a user tries to access the old URL, they will be automatically redirected to the new location. This can help maintain search engine rankings and ensure that users are able to find the content they are looking for. However, it is important to note that the 301 status code is intended for permanent redirects. If the move is temporary, website owners should use a 302 status code instead.

It’s also important to consider the impact of a 301 redirect on SEO. While using a 301 redirect can help maintain search engine rankings for the new location, it may take some time for search engines to update their indexes. Website owners should monitor their site’s performance after implementing a 301 redirect to ensure that traffic is being properly redirected and that search engine rankings are not negatively impacted.

In conclusion, the 301 status code indicates that a resource has been permanently moved to a new location. Website owners can use this status code to redirect traffic from an old URL to a new one. However, it is important to ensure that the move is indeed permanent and to consider the impact on SEO when implementing a 301 redirect. By understanding the implications of the 301 status code, website owners can effectively manage website migrations and maintain a positive user experience.

5. 403 — Forbidden

When a website visitor receives a 403 — Forbidden message, it means that the server is refusing to allow the visitor access to a particular resource on the website. This could happen due to a variety of reasons, such as:

Incorrect permissions settings on the server
Blocked IP address or user agent
Too many login attempts
Accessing a directory without an index file

If you are a website owner and your visitors are encountering 403 errors, it is important to investigate the root cause of the issue. Check the file permissions on your server to ensure that the resource is accessible by the user agent. Additionally, review your server logs to see if any IP addresses are being blocked.

It is also possible that a misconfiguration in your server settings could be causing the 403 error. Double-check your server configuration files to ensure that there are no restrictions in place that could be blocking access to the resource.

Remember that a 403 — Forbidden message is a security measure put in place by the server to protect your website and its resources. By addressing the underlying issues causing the error, you can ensure that your website remains secure and accessible to all visitors.

6. 503 — Service Unavailable

The 503 Service Unavailable status code indicates that the server is currently unable to handle the request due to a temporary overload or maintenance. This could be caused by a variety of reasons such as too many requests, server maintenance, or a server being down. When a user sees a 503 error, it typically means the server is overloaded and cannot handle additional requests at that moment.

As a website owner, seeing a 503 error can be concerning as it means that your server is unable to handle incoming requests at that time. It is important to take immediate action to resolve the issue and get your website back up and running as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can take to address a 503 error:

Check your server logs to identify the root cause of the issue. Look for any spikes in traffic or errors that may have caused the server to become overwhelmed.
Reduce the load on your server by optimizing your website’s code, images, and other resources. Consider using caching or a content delivery network (CDN) to improve performance.
If the issue is due to maintenance, communicate with your users by displaying a custom 503 error page with information on when the service will be available again.
Monitor your server’s performance and set up alerts to notify you of any future 503 errors. This will help you proactively address any issues before they affect your users.

Overall, a 503 error is a temporary issue that can be resolved with proper investigation and action. By following these steps, you can minimize downtime and ensure that your website remains accessible to users.

How to Interpret HTTP Status Codes

When browsing the web, you may have come across different HTTP status codes that either indicate success or an error in accessing a web page. Understanding these status codes is important for website owners in order to diagnose and troubleshoot issues that may arise. In this guide, we will discuss some common HTTP status codes and what they mean.

1. 2xx Success

HTTP status codes in the 2xx range indicate that the request was successful. The most common code in this range is 200, which means that the request was successful and the server has returned the requested page.

2. 3xx Redirection

301 Moved Permanently: This status code indicates that the requested page has been permanently moved to a new location. Website owners should update their URLs to reflect the new location to avoid broken links.
302 Found: This code indicates a temporary redirection. The browser should continue to use the original URL for future requests.

3. 4xx Client Errors

400 Bad Request: This status code indicates that the server cannot process the request due to a client error, such as malformed syntax.
404 Not Found: Perhaps the most well-known status code, 404 means that the requested page could not be found on the server. This could be due to a broken link or a deleted page.

4. 5xx Server Errors

500 Internal Server Error: This status code indicates that there was an unexpected error on the server-side that prevented it from fulfilling the request.
503 Service Unavailable: This status code indicates that the server is temporarily unable to handle the request due to maintenance or overload.

With a basic understanding of these common HTTP status codes, website owners can better diagnose and address issues that may occur with their websites. It is important to regularly monitor these status codes to ensure that users have a smooth browsing experience on your site.

Conclusion

As a website owner, understanding HTTP status codes is crucial for maintaining a healthy and functional website. Each status code provides valuable information about the request made by a user and the server’s response.

Throughout this guide, we have covered some of the most common HTTP status codes, including

200 (OK), which indicates that the request was successful and the server has fulfilled it,
404 (Not Found), which indicates that the requested resource could not be found on the server,
500 (Internal Server Error), which indicates that there was an unexpected error on the server’s end.

By familiarizing yourself with these status codes and their meanings, you can better troubleshoot issues on your website and provide a more seamless user experience for your visitors.

Remember that HTTP status codes are not only important for website owners but also for developers and SEO professionals. By understanding how to interpret these codes, you can proactively address issues, improve your website’s performance, and enhance your overall online presence.

In conclusion, HTTP status codes are a crucial aspect of web development and maintenance. By taking the time to learn about these codes and their meanings, you can ensure that your website is running smoothly and efficiently at all times. Whether you are dealing with common codes like 200 or 404, or more complex codes like 502 or 503, having a solid understanding of HTTP status codes will ultimately benefit both you and your website visitors.