Instructions for Tracking 404 Errors

What the add-on does

The add-on tracks requests to storefront pages that do not exist, saves the detected URLs in the redirect list, and counts visits for each address. A detected record can remain a 404 log entry, or you can specify a target URL and enable a 301 or 302 redirect.

Where to find the add-on

The redirect list is available in the admin panel in the 404 page management section. In CS-Cart versions earlier than 4.18.1, the add-on adds the item “Website → SEO → MS: 404 pages”. In newer versions, the same management page is available through the redirect management page.

Import and export are available in the standard CS-Cart sections:

• “Administration → Import data → MS: Import 404 pages”;
• “Administration → Export data → MS: Export 404 pages”.

How to review detected 404 pages

1. Open the redirect list.
2. Use URL search when you need to find a specific address.
3. Sort the table by URL, storefront, target link, type, hit counter, or status.
4. Check the “Counts transfer” field: it shows how often visitors land on the address.

How to create or edit a redirect

1. In the redirect list, add a new record or open an existing one.
2. In the URL field, enter the old page address. For automatically detected 404 pages, this field is already filled in.
3. In the “Link to” field, enter the page where visitors should be sent.
4. Select the type: 301 for a permanent redirect, 302 for a temporary redirect, or 404 if the record should remain only in the error log.
5. Keep the status enabled if the rule must work on the storefront.
6. Save the record.

Bulk editing and deletion

In the table, you can quickly change the URL, target link, type, hit counter, and status for several records, then save all changes at once. Unneeded records can be selected with checkboxes and removed through a bulk action.

Import and export

Use standard ExIm to move rules between stores or prepare redirects in bulk. The file includes fields for record ID, source URL, storefront, domain, target link, type, status, and hit counter. Before import, make sure that target URLs are correct and rule types are 301, 302, or 404.

How to check the result

1. Open a storefront page that definitely does not exist.
2. Return to the admin panel and check that the address appears in the redirect list with type 404 and a hit counter.
3. Open the record, specify the target page, select 301 or 302, and enable the status.
4. Open the old address on the storefront again.
5. Make sure the browser redirects to the configured page and the record remains correct in the table.

Recommendations

• Use 301 for pages that have moved permanently.
• Use 302 for temporary promo pages or seasonal replacements.
• Regularly review records with a high hit counter: they have the strongest impact on customers and SEO.
• Before a bulk import, export the current rules so you can restore the previous state if needed.