404 redirects

[Andy-C27]

Hey guys wondering if anyone can help

How does 1 go about setting up 404 redirects for products that have been deleted from my site ,I've seen some that were deleted about 3/4 years ago still appearing , as I am having a major problem with these on google atm and am going round in circles by not fixing these correctly
using the latest version of zencart.
I believe there is a way to do it htaccess or any over way will be fine too

thanks

[Andy-C27]

I have been looking though my 404 in my error_docs file and it seems all wrong ...could someone advise as to what should be in there

[lat9]

Do you have an example of an "old" link and the "new" link to which it should be mapped?

[dbltoe]

Here's an example of a simple 404.shtml that you can add to the root. It presents the logo on the page to confer branding, shows a possible link (if found), and allows the customer to search the site. You can add a special stylesheet but it is not needed.
Items in red will need to reflect your site.

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="includes/templates/yourTemplate/css/stylesheet.css" />
<img src="/includes/templates/newENL/images/logo.gif" alt="yourSite.Com" border="0">
<h3>We're sorry. The information you are looking for may have changed.<br />We've recently revamped our site to better serve our customers.</h3>
<h4>Hopefully the system has suggested a link for you to follow.<br />If not, please use the search block to search our site for your item(s).</h4>
<style type="text/css">
#goog-wm { }
#goog-wm h3.closest-match { }
#goog-wm h3.closest-match a { }
#goog-wm h3.other-things { }
#goog-wm ul li { }
#goog-wm li.search-goog { display: block; }
</style>
<script type="text/javascript">
var GOOG_FIXURL_LANG = 'en';
var GOOG_FIXURL_SITE = 'http://yourSite.com/';
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://linkhelp.clients.google.com/tbproxy/lh/wm/fixurl.js"></script>

[Andy-C27]

Hi this 1 has appeared that has been moved not to long ago
http://www. pewterworld.co. uk/Flutes to
http://www. pewterworld.co. uk/GobletsFlutes
but this 1 for example was removed about 2 years ago
http://www. pewterworld. co. uk/TieClips/PackOfCardsTieClip

hi dbltoe
will that coding stop google from finding 404's all the time in web masters tools.
I'll give it a go and see if it helps though

[dbltoe]

As far as I know, using the 404 redirect stops the error count. At least Google sees that you're trying to help the customer.

[Andy-C27]

OK think I have done it right ,although if I click on a dead link it still goes to the "Page Not Found" page
is that right

[dbltoe]

Left out...

Add a line to the .htaccess file in the root.

ErrorDocument 404 /404.shtml

[Andy-C27]

thanks for helping ,,still going to page not found ... Is it like a redirect to the main page ,or does it just fool google ..
Just cleared 15 found links this morning again

[Andy-C27]

Checked again this morning and have 6 more ,although it is only on the www. , It seems my redirect from non www. to www. is working now