How to Create a 404 Page (Plus Why You Need a Custom One)

Anyone who’s done some Internet searching has likely come across 404: Page Not Found pages. Some companies are better than others at providing a good user experience, despite the error.

If you want to make the most of errors when they happen, you need to know how to create a 404 page that keeps people on your website.

Keep reading to learn about these topics:

• What is a 404 page?
• Why do you land on a 404 page?
• Why does my website need a 404 page?
• What makes a good 404 page

What is a 404 page?

The 404 page displays when your device cannot locate the resource you’re looking for online. In hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), or the language of server communication, a 404 is a standard error message for an unfound page or file.

Why do you land on a 404 page?

It’s important to understand how locations and 404 pages work together on the Internet.

Each piece of content has an online address, known as its uniform resource locator (URL). The first part of the URL begins with HTTP, the protocol language. Think of this as the city you live in.

Next comes the domain name, such as Target.com. A domain name is pretty similar to your street address.

The final part of the URL is the path, which is like the walkway to your front door.

Your device and the corresponding server must be able to communicate, meaning the domain name must be valid. If the search engine cannot find the domain, users will only see a message indicating the failed communication.

The 404 error page often results from one of these scenarios:

Why you land on a 404 page

• User mistakes
• Broken links
• Deleted pages
• Protected content

Let’s go through each one:

User mistakes

You might want to visit www.website.com/blog and accidentally type in www.website.com/blop. Misspellings often lead to 404 pages because that page doesn’t exist on the website.

Broken links

Broken links can be errors within your site architecture, such as forgetting to add the correct suffix to a page name or not setting up a 301 redirect, a forwarding address to tell the server where the content moved.

They can also be links to your page from elsewhere. For example, a social media post that contains an invalid path will deliver a 404 error as long as the domain name is correct.

Deleted pages

Businesses of all kinds remove content regularly.

Suppose you’re a photographer who decides to specialize only in weddings in the future. So, you deleted your page on newborn photography, but you forgot to take the link off your homepage. Users clicking on it will see your 404 page.

Protected content

Companies may house internal resources on the same servers as their Internet content and keep the viewing of these internal assets secure.

When the server detects access from users who are not logged in, it transmits a 404 error to the user.

Why does my website need a 404 page?

A 404: not found page is a normal part of everyday life on the Internet. Google and other search engines recognize that.

Your website needs a 404 page for a better user experience. Your site is a powerful marketing tool for your business.

Providing users with enjoyable interactions (even if it’s an error page) with your content increases their engagement and time spent on your site. While error prevention should be a part of your strategy, the chances are good you’ll need a 404 page as a backup.

What makes a good 404 page?

Businesses go out of their way to create custom 404 pages. Creative 404 pages showcase a brand’s personality in a way few other resources can, so use it to your advantage.

Let’s look at some common elements of great 404 pages based on Google’s advice:

4 common elements of great 404 pages

1. Nice language
2. Consistency
3. Links or search box
4. Reporting system for broken links

Let’s go through each element:

Nice language

The language on your 404 page should be polite and friendly.

At the same time, it should make it obvious to the user that it’s not the content they were looking for and reassure them that you’ll help them find it.

Consistency

Your 404 page should look, feel, and navigate the same way as any other page on your website. Add logos and other branding the user recognizes. Maintaining consistency across your pages builds familiarity and inspires user trust.

Links or search box

Once a user finds their way to a 404 page, ensure they can find their way out to your other compelling content. Generic pages that return the bare minimum of information and don’t provide an escape route will drive up your bounce rate and dent your credibility.

Use this opportunity to link out to pages that have earned a lot of engagement in the past instead. You can also offer the search box, a link to your homepage, or popular content they might be interested in.

Reporting system for broken links

Users can be one of the most effective discovery tools you have for broken links. Create a way for them to report broken ones. You’ll be able to identify and fix links more quickly with their help.

Craft a 404 page that fits your brand with WebFX

Creating an engaging 404 page and ensuring a pleasant experience for your visitors are essential to retaining users on your site.

If you need help accomplishing both, team up with WebFX. Our award-winning team of designers will take the time to know your brand and understand your business goals to craft a custom web design that engages your audience.

Contact us online or call us at 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist about our web design services!