How Can I Identify and Fix Recurring Server Errors on My Website?

• Overview
• What I Think
• Deep Dive: Finding and Fixing Server Errors
• 19-Step Action Plan for Finding and Fixing Server Errors
• Quick Solutions
• About Us

Overview

Any server error can impact the performance of your website, and this affects both the user experience and the effectiveness of your SEO program. 

So taking care of server errors, particularly recurring ones, is important for a stable online presence. 

As part of the process, you can use tools alongside a systematic approach to resolve these issues faster, which we’ll talk about next.

What I Think

Server errors on a website can do a couple of things. 

First, they deter users. Secondly, this results in diminishing trust in your brand from both visitors and search engines.

Remember: The goal is uninterrupted access to your content.

Frequent errors can reduce the crawlability of your site and its ranking performance, so fixing them is a non-negotiable for a high-performing website. 

Regular monitoring and diagnostics can help you stay on top of your website’s performance. 

You can use tools like Google Search Console to uncover certain patterns in server errors. 

To get errors resolved, you may find that you need to collaborate with technical teams and hosting providers. 

While it can be time-consuming and even challenging, this process is the key to making your site operational and user-friendly.

Deep Dive: Finding and Fixing Server Errors

Common server errors arise for a variety of reasons. For example, they can happen due to server overload, permission issues or outdated software.

The key is finding out what is causing them and then quickly fixing these errors to keep the site — and your SEO program — running smoothly. 

Understand Common Server Errors

Server errors like HTTP status codes in the 5xx range are a signal that your server can’t process a request. 

Common types of server errors to know include the 500 Internal Server Error, 502 Bad Gateway Error and 503 Service Unavailable Error. 

Let’s look closer at those.

500

The 500 Internal Server Error is an unresolvable issue on the server. 

This error can be triggered by things like faulty scripts, insufficient memory or incorrect server configuration. 

You can use debugging tools or consult error logs to help narrow down the cause. 

502

A 502 Bad Gateway Error typically occurs when a server that’s acting as a gateway or proxy fails to get a valid response from an upstream server. 

This issue might result from things such as network problems, server misconfigurations or even incompatible software versions. 

You can often resolve this error by verifying the connection between servers and updating any outdated components.

503

The 503 Service Unavailable Error means that the server is temporarily unable to handle requests. 

This could be due to something like scheduled maintenance, server overload or even a denial-of-service attack. 

To mitigate this error, depending on its cause, you can implement load balancing or ensure that maintenance notifications are displayed to website users.

Use the Right Diagnostics

Monitoring tools like Google Search Console and other third-party platforms can help you uncover insights into common server errors. 

You can use these tools to get alerts on recurring errors, and routinely monitor site performance. 

Another thing you can do is check the server error logs for more detailed information about any failures. 

Also think about testing server configurations, permissions and software components. 

When facing any error, you may need to engage with your hosting provider for advanced troubleshooting as needed.

As always, document all changes for faster problem-solving in the future. 

19-Step Action Plan for Finding and Fixing Server Errors

Here are 19 tips to stay on top of managing server errors:

1. Access your website’s server logs to locate error details, and use tools like Google Search Console to identify recurring patterns.
2. Determine the status codes associated with the errors (e.g., 500, 502, 503) and reference common causes. Start diagnosing by following the next steps: 
3. Check for faulty scripts or plugins that might cause conflicts.
4. Verify your server’s resource allocation to prevent overloads. 
5. Test server configurations to ensure compatibility with current software.
6. Examine the network connectivity between servers for potential interruptions.
7. Update any outdated software or plugins causing compatibility issues.
8. Review your server’s permission settings for possible mismatches.
9. Use a debugging tool for deeper analysis of server processes.
10. Always consult your hosting provider for advanced troubleshooting as needed.
11. Implement load balancing as needed to distribute server requests evenly.
12. Proactively schedule server maintenance during low-traffic periods, and display a maintenance notification page during planned downtimes.
13. Review your firewall settings to prevent denial-of-service attacks and check your server’s security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
14. Optimize your database to reduce query times.
15. Regularly update your content management system for improved performance.
16. Establish routine monitoring with third-party tools for real-time alerts, and review and refine your troubleshooting process regularly.
17. Test your website functionality after implementing any changes.
18. Create a backup of your server setup to recover from potential failures.
19. Document all server configurations for future reference, and train your team on common server maintenance tasks.

Enhance your website’s reliability and performance for better performance in search and for your users:

Contact Us Today for Expert Technical SEO Solutions!

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About Us

Bruce Clay Inc. has been a leader in SEO since the 1990s, providing technical SEO strategies and beyond to improve website performance. We pride ourselves on our deep expertise and commitment to client success. Learn more on our About Us page.

Bruce Clay is founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc., a global digital marketing firm providing search engine optimization, pay-per-click, social media marketing, SEO-friendly web architecture, and SEO tools and education. Connect with him on LinkedIn or through the BruceClay.com website.

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