Story Based Question
You’re working on a website for a small online clothing store. One day, you check your analytics and notice that a fair number of visitors are landing on a “404 Not Found” page. These visitors are trying to access products or categories that no longer exist or were moved. It seems like a missed opportunity to guide these users to other relevant products. You decide to create a custom 404 page that will not only keep users engaged but also reflect the brand’s personality. But how exactly do you go about creating a custom 404 page?
Exact Answer
To create a custom 404 page, design a page that matches your brand’s style and offers helpful links or navigation options. You can either create one from scratch by editing your website’s code or use a content management system (CMS) to design it without coding. The custom 404 page should include a message, links to important pages, and perhaps a search bar, ensuring it keeps users on the site and helps improve user experience.
Explanation
A custom 404 page is essential because it allows you to retain user engagement when something goes wrong, like a broken or missing page. Here’s how to create one, step by step:
- Design the Page:
Think about the tone and style of your website. Your custom 404 page should feel like it belongs to the rest of your site. For a clothing store, you could design the page with a fun, friendly message like, “Oops, this page ran away! But don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of stylish options for you to explore!” The design should reflect your brand, using colors, fonts, and visuals that are consistent with the rest of the site. - Add Helpful Content:
The most important thing is to give visitors a path forward. Add links to popular or similar products, categories, or the homepage. You could also include a search bar so users can quickly find what they’re looking for. For example, if someone was looking for a specific jacket that’s now out of stock, you could direct them to your “New Arrivals” or “Sale” section. - Write a Clear Message:
The message should acknowledge that something went wrong, but also reassure users that there are still plenty of good things to explore. A clear, friendly message will keep visitors from bouncing off your site. - Set Up Redirects if Needed:
While you’re working on the 404 page, it’s also a good idea to review whether any old URLs need to be redirected to new pages. For example, if a product was discontinued and you removed its page, you could redirect that URL to a similar product or category. This minimizes the number of 404 errors your users experience. - Use a CMS or Edit the Code:
If you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, most themes have built-in options to create a custom 404 page without coding. You can simply go into the theme settings and customize the page layout and message. If you’re working with raw HTML or another system, you might need to write the HTML code for the 404 page yourself or use a template. Be sure to include a 404 HTTP status code so search engines understand it’s a missing page. - Track and Test:
After setting up your custom 404 page, monitor how users interact with it. You can track click-through rates, which links users click, and see if they stay on the site or bounce. If you notice high bounce rates or if people aren’t clicking your suggested links, tweak the design or options you provide.
Example
Let’s say you’re managing an online clothing store and recently discontinued a product line of winter coats. Visitors who still try to access that product page are landing on the default “404 Not Found” error.
- Standard 404 Page:
Without a custom page, visitors see a simple “Page Not Found” message. There’s no direction on what to do next, and they might leave the site entirely, possibly even thinking your whole store is out of stock. - Custom 404 Page Solution:
You create a custom 404 page that shows a catchy message like, “Looks like this winter coat went out of stock! But we’ve got a wide selection of warm jackets ready for you.” Below the message, you add links to new arrivals, your best-selling items, and a search bar. You also make sure the design matches your site’s aesthetic, using your brand’s colors and fonts. - SEO Benefits:
Not only does this custom 404 page help users stay engaged, but Google will also see that users are clicking on links and staying longer on your site. This could improve your site’s bounce rate, sending positive signals to search engines about your site’s content and user experience.
Creating a custom 404 page helps keep users engaged when they encounter broken links, improving their experience and reducing bounce rates. The key is to make the page useful, on-brand, and easy to navigate. This, in turn, can help with SEO by maintaining a positive site structure and user behavior.