Why you need to customize your 404 Error Page

Message error 404 (Photo credit: CyboRoZ)

The 404 Error Page, also known as “Page not found”, is a very common occurrence on websites and blogs. It pops up on a visitor’s screen when they input a bad link or click on a link leading to a recently removed page. And more often than not, this prompts the visitor to leave — and never come back.

Do not let a 404 Error Page ruin your business. Customize it!

The benefits of customization are huge. For example, you can redirect traffic to your important content (newsletter, services, products, etc.), and hence decrease bounce rate.

Here is what I did with my own Error Page:

When you customize your 404 Error Page, do not forget to include:

• Relevant keywords (great SEO opportunity here).
• Important links to let your visitors know where to go next.
• Visual content (picture or video).
• Calls to action.

But, most importantly, have fun designing your page! Be creative in order to leave a lasting impression on your visitors.

For examples of entertaining 404 Error Pages, you can refer to the following:

• 35 Entertaining 40 Error Pages (Mashable)
• 60 Really Cool And Creative Error 404 Pages (Hongkiat.com)
• 35 Creative 404 Error Pages (WDL)
• 404 Error Pages: Reloaded (Smashing Magazine)
• Google Image Search