Finding and fixing 404 errors on your Shopify store requires systematic monitoring and the right tools. Without proper tracking, these errors go unnoticed until they damage your SEO rankings and cause lost sales.
The Doc 404 - fix broken links app provides real-time monitoring of all 404 errors occurring on your store. It automatically logs every broken URL, shows when it was first detected, tracks how often visitors encounter each error, and identifies traffic sources.
Step 1: Find the 404 Errors
Google Search Console is the most reliable free tool for finding errors that affect your search rankings. Log in to Google Search Console and select your property. Navigate to Indexing, then Pages. Under the "Why pages aren't indexed" table, find and click on the "Not found (404)" error reason. Google provides a list of all URLs generating 404 errors, which you can export for easier management.
Your Shopify admin also has built-in analytics that can help find high-traffic pages that are broken. Go to Analytics, then Reports, and select the "Sessions by landing page" report. Look for any low-performing or broken URLs that may be returning 404 errors.
For comprehensive scanning, especially for larger stores, Doc 404 runs automatic checks and finds broken links continuously without manual intervention. This ensures you catch errors as they happen rather than discovering them weeks later.
Step 2: Fix the 404 Errors with Redirects
The primary method to fix 404 errors is creating permanent 301 redirects. In your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store, then Navigation, and click View URL Redirects. Click Create URL redirect to open the form.
In the "Redirect from" field, enter the broken URL without your domain name. For example, enter /products/old-product. In the "Redirect to" field, enter the new destination. This can be a similar product, relevant collection page, or another appropriate destination. Avoid redirecting everything to your homepage as this creates poor user experience.
For stores with many broken links, Doc 404 allows bulk redirect creation from a single dashboard. Select multiple broken URLs from the error log and assign destinations through batch operations, saving significant time compared to manual entry.
When choosing redirect destinations, prioritize relevance. Redirect deleted product pages to similar products or the parent collection. If no similar product exists, redirect to the relevant category page. Only redirect to the homepage when no better alternative exists.
Set up ongoing monitoring so new 404 errors are caught quickly. As your catalog evolves and external sites link to your pages, broken links will appear. Regular audits ensure your Shopify store maintains clean URL structure and optimal SEO performance.
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