In many CMSs, a standard 404 page is created automatically for any pages, except for one-page business card sites. Or you can design this page yourself. To create a page, you need to think about web design and a call to take a targeted action. It can be a link to a product catalog or a search bar to find the page you want.
To add a page to a website:
Transfer the 404 error page template to the root folder of your site.
Open the .htaccess file and write the code: ErrorDocument 404 http://SITE_ADDRESS/404.html
Write the code in any free line, upload to the hosting and check: make an error in some link, for example, delete a letter. Instead of the standard template 404 should display a new version. If not – check the correctness of the code, perhaps a mistake was made.
Some CMS automate the process of creating an error page: for example, in WordPress you can do this with the 404page plugin. The plugin can customize the page on different themes. To install it, you need WordPress version 4.0 and above.
How to optimize a 404 error page
The page should be simple and clear for the user. Let it be creative and harmoniously continue the concept of the whole site, but does not complicate the path to the main space, for example, to the product catalog or home page.
Tips for creating a 404 page:
- Be welcoming. Tell the visitor that the page has been removed or an error has occurred, help them get back to the main pages of the site.
- Invite the visitor to check the accuracy of the address or give links to sections that were recently moved.
- Give links to product or articles relevant to the search. To do this, you need to know what page the user was trying to navigate to. This can be done when the URL specifies a section or category.
- Make the page useful: give the option to download a book or go to blog articles that talk about the value of the product.
- Go beyond a funny picture. Add a link to your website’s homepage, blog, catalog, or a poster of company events.
- Suggest visiting a page with promotions, special offers.
- Place a search bar so that the site visitor can find what he was looking for. For example, a phone model in an online store or an article on a news portal.
- Show the visitor a quiz or mini-game. This is a great way to minimize the negative impression of the user.
- Keep a uniform design, so that the 404 page does not differ from the rest of the site.