cant find page on squarespace

3 min read 04-10-2024

Encountering a "Can't Find Page" error on your Squarespace website can be frustrating, especially if you're not sure what caused it. In this article, we'll explore common reasons behind this issue, how to troubleshoot it, and some best practices for ensuring that your site remains functional and user-friendly. The insights here have been gathered from a variety of questions and answers found on Stack Overflow and enhanced with additional analysis to provide you with the most comprehensive information.

What Causes the "Can't Find Page" Error?

A "Can't Find Page" error typically means that the URL being accessed does not correspond to any of the pages on your site. This can occur for several reasons:

Incorrect URL: The most straightforward cause can be an incorrectly typed URL. Double-check for typos or misplaced characters.
Deleted Pages: If a page has been deleted from your Squarespace site, any bookmarks or links to that page will lead to a 404 error.
Changed Page Slugs: Changing the URL slug of a page (the last part of the URL) can result in broken links, leading visitors to a page that no longer exists.
Domain Issues: If you’ve recently changed your domain settings or haven’t properly configured your custom domain, users might not be directed to your Squarespace site correctly.
Cache Issues: Sometimes, a browser’s cache can cause it to load an old version of your site, leading to errors if pages have been updated or moved.
Published vs. Unpublished: If the page hasn’t been published yet, users will encounter this error.

Practical Examples

Let’s discuss a few scenarios that illustrate these issues:

Example 1: If you have a page with the URL www.yourwebsite.com/about, but you've deleted the "About" page, anyone attempting to access that URL will see a "Can't Find Page" error.
Example 2: You might have changed the slug from www.yourwebsite.com/contact-us to www.yourwebsite.com/contact without updating existing links, causing old bookmarks or links to fail.

How to Troubleshoot the Issue

When faced with this error, here are some steps you can follow:

Check the URL: Ensure the URL is typed correctly. This includes checking for common typographical errors.
Inspect Page Settings: Go to your Squarespace dashboard and check the Pages panel. Confirm that the page is published and not in a draft state.
Review Deleted Pages: If a page has been deleted, consider redirecting users to another page using 301 redirects.
Update Links: If you've changed a page's slug, update any internal and external links accordingly to point to the new URL.
Clear Browser Cache: Clear your browser’s cache or try accessing your website from an incognito window to eliminate caching issues.
Domain Settings: If you've recently changed your domain, check that your domain settings are correct and that your Squarespace site is properly connected.

Setting Up 301 Redirects

To prevent users from encountering 404 errors for deleted or moved pages, setting up 301 redirects is essential. Here's a quick guide on how to do that:

Log into Squarespace: Navigate to your site's dashboard.
Go to Settings: Click on the "Settings" tab.
Select Advanced: Choose the "Advanced" option from the settings menu.
Click on URL Mappings: Add the following mapping format for your redirects:
```
/old-page-url -> /new-page-url 301
```
Save Changes: Ensure you save your changes and test the redirects to confirm they work.

Additional Best Practices

Regular Audits: Periodically audit your website for broken links. Tools like Google Search Console can help identify 404 errors that may affect user experience and SEO.
Custom 404 Page: Consider creating a custom 404 page that guides users back to relevant content on your site rather than leaving them stranded. This could include links to popular pages, a search bar, or even a site map.
User Feedback: Monitor feedback from your site visitors. If they frequently mention being unable to find pages, investigate further to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Encountering a "Can't Find Page" error on Squarespace doesn’t have to derail your website's functionality. By understanding the potential causes and following a structured approach to troubleshooting, you can ensure that your visitors have a seamless experience. Whether you're managing a personal blog, an online store, or a portfolio, keeping your site organized and user-friendly is key to maintaining a strong online presence.

By leveraging the advice from Stack Overflow and enhancing it with practical examples and additional insights, this article aims to provide you with a robust resource for addressing the "Can't Find Page" issue on Squarespace. Whether you're new to Squarespace or a seasoned user, these strategies will help you keep your site running smoothly.