NFIB

Simple Solutions to a Common Web Site Problem, Part II
04/ 15/ 2002

Concluding last week's Workshop, Jeffrey Moses shows why your customers might receive a "Server Error 404 - File Not Found" message and gives direct steps for fixing the problem, even if you're not an expert programmer.

When you realize that users are receiving the File Not found error message, then test access to your site. Try every possible way to get to your main URL, and to URLs of specific pages within your site.

Try linking from other sites or accessing the page from a number of the large search engines. Then go page by page through your site, re-testing each access point and link between pages. Be sure to test your site from a different network than the one on which your Web site is hosted. If your Web server is connected to your computer, you may be able to see pages no one else can see. Test from home or have a friend check your site.

If you don't receive the File Not Found error message, the problem may have been isolated to a few individuals with difficulties on their end. Some users may have had trouble with their Internet Service Provider's connection.

When a File Not Found error message is located, there are specific steps to fix the problem. The difficulty may be a naming problem for one or more of your pages, a directory (or file permission) problem, a deleted URL problem or any number of other simple or potentially highly complex problems--any one of which can lead to a host of difficulties.

If you're knowledgeable enough to design and operate your own site, you may be experienced enough to find and fix the problem yourself. An easy maintenance step is installing an inexpensive link-checking software package for your Web site. This can help you find and repair broken links before your visitors see them.

If you're among those lacking Web site experience, you should immediately contact your Web designer or programmer. Give all the information you've discovered, including dates and times when the error message was given and links to which the error message has been sent.

Act quickly once you discover the possibility of a server problem. The sooner you get to the root of the error, the easier and less expensive the problem will be to fix, and the easier it will be for visitors to enjoy your site.

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