Remove 503 error code or add option to not use it

  • Resolved Brendan

    (@bcorcoran)


    8 years, 2 months ago

    Hi,

    I’d like to request (and strongly suggest) that you remove the 503 http error code from this plugin. Returning 503 is a bit of a hack and does not properly indicate the state of the website. The service (in this case the webserver) is technically available, but you’re telling http-aware services that it’s not.

    I ran into this, for example, while developing a website. I tried setting up SparkPost while Maintenance Mode was active, and SparkPost blocks the domain because of the 503… this is bad.

    I understand why you chose to send the 503, but I believe it is slightly misguided and potentially hazardous (especially since this is fact is not disclosed anywhere). Alternatively, if you feel strongly about sending the 503, please add an option to not send it.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Fugu Design

    (@fugudesign)

    Hi bcorcoran,

    Thanks for your useful feedback.

    After reading many articles about it, it seems the 503 error code is the best option, especially for SEO.
    However, this may be a strategy. This is the reason why I just implemented this functions on the last version, commited today.

    Please tell me if it solve your issue.

    Best regards

    Thread Starter Brendan

    (@bcorcoran)

    Thanks for the response! I’ll check out the update.

    I re-read my post and I apologize for the harsh tone. I understand what you’re saying about SEO- that would definitely be important for sites that are already established (such as showing this page during a WP update, the 503 is appropriate). For sites that are not yet launched, however, I think the 503 is a mixed bag – there would be no SEO value lost by not returning a 503, but you are unable to verify certain external services such as SparkPost because their TOS requires a “working” website.

    Plugin Author Fugu Design

    (@fugudesign)

    Hi bcorcoran,

    Don’t worry, there is no problem!
    I understand your point of view and this is the reason why I decided to adding the option.
    Who can do more can do less.

    Best regards

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • The topic ‘Remove 503 error code or add option to not use it’ is closed to new replies.