Introduction
Every web request receives an HTTP response status that tells the browser or crawler what happened.
Most visitors never see these numbers, but developers use them to understand whether a page loaded, moved, disappeared or failed.
Correct status codes are also important for technical SEO because they communicate URL behavior clearly.
These are the codes business website owners encounter most often.
200: Successful Response
A 200 response generally means the request succeeded and the page content was returned.
Normal live pages usually return 200.
A page can still be low quality or contain an error message while returning 200, so developers should verify the actual content.
Incorrect 200 responses on missing pages can create soft-404 problems.
301: Permanent Redirect
A 301 indicates that a resource has moved permanently.
It is commonly used when changing URLs or redirecting HTTP to HTTPS.
Permanent redirects should point to the closest relevant destination.
Avoid chains where one old URL redirects through several intermediate URLs.
302: Temporary Redirect
A 302 indicates a temporary move in common web implementations.
It can be useful when the original URL is expected to return.
Do not use temporary redirects for permanent migrations simply because they are easier to configure.
Choose redirect semantics that match the real situation.
404: Not Found
A 404 means the requested resource was not found.
404s are normal when old or mistyped URLs do not exist.
Provide a useful custom 404 page that helps visitors return to relevant areas.
Do not redirect every missing URL to the homepage.
410: Gone
A 410 explicitly indicates that the resource is gone.
It can be used when content was intentionally removed and has no replacement.
For many sites, a normal 404 is also acceptable for missing content.
Use status codes consistently rather than obsessing over minor differences without a reason.
500-Level Errors
500-level responses indicate server-side failures.
Examples include application crashes, misconfiguration or upstream service problems.
Frequent server errors damage user experience and can interfere with crawling.
Monitor and investigate them quickly on important sites.
Redirect Testing During Migrations
After a redesign, crawl important old URLs and verify the intended status.
Check that permanent moves reach the correct new page.
Look for loops and chains.
Status-code testing should be part of launch QA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should every deleted page redirect somewhere? — No. Redirect when there is a genuinely relevant replacement; otherwise a proper not-found response can be correct.
Is 301 better than 302 for SEO? — They communicate different intent. Use a permanent redirect for a permanent move and temporary behavior when the move is genuinely temporary.
Why is a custom 404 page useful? — It helps visitors recover and find useful navigation when a URL does not exist.
What should I do about 500 errors? — Investigate server and application logs, restore service and monitor for recurrence.