Shine Audit: Status and Status Code

Status codes are 3-digit numbers returned by a server in response to a client's request to indicate the status of the request or the resulting web page. 

The most common status codes for a website are:

• 1xx (Informational): These are used to provide information about a request, such as that it has been received and is being processed.
• 2xx (Successful): These indicate that the request was successful and the server was able to provide the requested content. The most common status code in this range is 200, which means "OK".
• 3xx (Redirection): These indicate that the requested resource has been moved to a new location or that the client should take additional action to complete the request. The most common status code in this range is 301, which means "Moved Permanently".
• 4xx (Client Error): These indicate that there was an error with the client's request, such as a missing or invalid parameter. The most common status code in this range is 404, which means "Not Found".
• 5xx (Server Error): These indicate that there was an error with the server while processing the request. The most common status code in this range is 500, which means "Internal Server Error".

It's important to understand status codes because they can provide valuable information about the status of your website and help you identify and resolve any issues that may be impacting your site's performance.

When you get a status code error on your website, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Identify the specific error code: The first step is to identify the specific error code that your website is returning. This will help you narrow down the potential causes of the issue. 
2. Check for any recent changes: If you have recently made any changes to your website, such as updating content or modifying code, these changes may have caused the issue. Roll back the changes to see if this resolves the issue.
3. Check for server or hosting issues: If you are receiving a 5xx error code, this typically indicates that there is an issue with your server or hosting. Check with your web hosting provider to see if there are any server-side issues that need to be resolved.
4. Check for broken links or missing resources: If you are receiving a 4xx error code, this typically indicates that there is an issue with the client's request. Check the URL that the client is requesting and make sure that it is valid and that all required resources are available.
5. Check for redirects: If you are receiving a 3xx error code, this typically indicates that there is a redirect issue. Check any redirects that you have set up and make sure that they are properly configured.
6. Verify your website configuration: Make sure that your website is properly configured and that all necessary software updates and patches are installed.