Ways to Customize Your 404 Error page
“The page cannot be found” This might be the default message you’re seeing on your 404 error page.But I(Even you might)feel this message is not enough to explain what’s going on for a novice visitor.So,lets talk about why and when this 404 error appears? and how to customize it?
What is 404 error: The 404 or Not Found error message is an HTTP standard response code indicating that the client was able to communicate with the server but either the server could not find what was requested.
When: Usually 404 error occurs
- When you deleted a post which is linked in some other post
- When you changed/updated the title of the post
- Changed your Permalink structure without redirection
- When user types wrong URL structure in browser
- When users search for something which is not in your blog
- And many more like this…
How to Customize: Customizing is nothing but changing the error message or redirecting the page to home or some other page.Here we go with both the options…
Redirect: This is to redirect the 404 error page to some other page like Home or Archives or etc.. to guide the user that, he can find other stuff related to what he is searching.You can achieve this by inserting the following code in your 404.php File(Design->Theme editor->404.php).Don’t forget to insert between <HEAD> and </HEAD> tags of your code.
<meta HTTP-EQUIV=”REFRESH” content=”0; url=http://www.techzoomin.com/archives”>
Customizing: There are many ways to customize this to your choice
- Change the anchor text from “Page not found” to “Something of your choice,which can give better navigation to your other useful pages”
- You can place some attractive Images
- Display some popular posts on your blog
- Include a search box,allowing them to search further
- Include subscribe option
- And many more like this…
This is all innovation you need to apply.Try for something new and different look.This is my 404 page which i changed now,Of course there is nothing new i added,but am trying something different and will come with that soon.
What about your 404 page? Changed? Share with us! Happy Blogging!
@Lax yes this will be more useful when reader finds 404 error he leaves the site,when we redirect reader to page containing useful post reader will stay on the site.
I don’t think it’s extra important but I found some time and improved my 404 page about month ago.
Just few internal links and fitting picture to add some volume to page.
Post about my 404 improvement:
http://www.rarst.net/web/log-critique-results-2/
Result:
http://www.rarst.net/404
404 is important to retain your first time visitors.It would be good with a cache image and useful post titles to attract them to see that posts.
@Venkat,
You’re absolutely correct Venkat.
@Rarst,
Good img you have kept,But we need to provide more info on that page like landing page.Am thinking different
need to see the outcome
@Softhydit,
Thats correct yar.Thanks for all for sharing your views.
I actually just recently started editing my 404 pages so that they kinda helped users.
A like to the home page/search page. Tell them why they may have reached the page and all that.
Im pretty sure google Webmaster Tools has something that helps with all this.
Customizng should include all the basic and important tips for the bloggers and all the categories over view.And a good image.
This is enough and also as Blogict told it should explain why the visitor landed there.
@Blogict,
i never looked at Webmaster Tools for this..but need to see they might help.
@Karteek,
Yes you’re right dude..one simple image and links to some great posts would be great na.
Its pretty important to customize it.But better navigation is important,what ever may be the style.
Hello!
These are some great ways you have explained here. Very good job, keep it up.
@Cain,
You’re correct Cain.Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@Klajdi,
Thanks for commenting dude.
Thats good,waiting to see how your page will looks once you’re done with it.
Your 404 page is very simple Lax.Its not enough for site good site like techzoomin.Correct na ?
@Cain,
Hope I’ll impress you
@TJG,
Dude am still trying to make it brand new.Give some inputs like how you want to see it.
I feel the following should be there
1) Simple and suitable image
2) Top 10 posts
3) Search form
4) subscribe form
5) contact/ask question option
6) reason y he/she came there
And something like this
I think i covered all the things which i know.
I’m planning to Do something similar. Will let you know once it’s ready!
@TJG,
Great list yar..i will def consider all these while changing..Thanks for this detailed opinion dude.
@Read2know,
Thats great! Will be waiting to see your Comment with link again
I’m just looking at my page. Thanks for reminding about this
Great tip! I’ll have to re-Do mine. It’s a great way to still convert a reader to other content rather than have them leave your site. Good stuff!
Nice post. I have done this long time back. But this post has reminded me to again have a look at it and may be change a bit if it is not good and according to latest standard.
Thanks for sharing the tip!
Reminded me to check my 404 page.I have the same default one till now
Do you know how to do this on blogger blogs?
I delete some pages on my blog before which I thought the url would be deleted also. As I test my blog to robot crawler, I found out that I have 4 broken links.
I also use some Webmaster tool features in google and tells me the same broken links number.
Is there I can do about this?
As I learn from a SEO expert that having more broken links to your site could ruin your page rank.
Is this really true? I am afraid…
I have not designed it yet , i am currently using the default one which comes with theme,but i am planning to get one with a good image. Thanks for sharing the information.
This is very important part in our blog too..many bloggers don’t care so much about 404 pages. It is necessary to Do the changing in order to avoid losing visitors