Have you ever clicked on a link to a website only to find that the page you are looking for no longer exists? Instead, it has been replaced with a harsh “404 error” message – something the average web browser doesn’t even understand. Most top ranking websites have customized 404 error pages, ensuring their visitors don’t feel lost during periods of web difficulty or site maintenance. The 404 error page usually directs the person on the page to another page on the same site.

The Traditional 404 Error Page

The problem is that most 404 error pages are harsh, boring, and uninformative. What many new webmasters don’t realize is that your 404 error pages can be customized in advance. The first thing you need to do when developing your own 404 error page is to decide exactly what it is going to say. Most will include the following key pieces of information:

• A notice letting visitors know the page in question does not exist.
• A simple search box to help visitors identify an alternative website.
• Links to the main sitemap for your domain.
• An invitation to visit the website’s homepage.

Redesigning Your 404 Error Page

Most webmasters use generic 404 error pages, but if you were to undergo a SEO analysis of your site you’d quickly find that generic pages are not the way to go. Your 404 error page should be designed in a manner similar to every other page on your site. A beautifully designed error page will show your visitors that you care about your appearance and your site in general – even if you are experiencing temporary difficulties.

Some webmasters are tempted to automatically redirect the 404 error page to their site’s homepage. Avoid doing this if at all possible. It is confusing to visitors who think they are going to end up on a specific page.  Most visitors would rather find out for themselves that the page is missing and then chose to go to your homepage on their own.

Make your 404 error page as creative as possible. Design it to match your site, include a little humor, and give your visitors alternative options. If they’re happy with your service, they’ll be willing to overlook the temporary inconvenience the 404 error page is covering up – and they’ll return to your site time and time again.

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1. Components of a Great Website Design
2. Diagnose 500 Internal Server Errors
3. Manage Your Link Building Efforts