Have you ever encountered a 404 page that left you feeling lost and frustrated? Well, you are not alone! A 404 page is often considered a bane. However, what if we told you that it could be more than just an error message? In fact, it could be a chance for your brand to show off its personality and turn a negative experience into a positive one.

What is a 404 page?

A 404 page is an error page that appears when a user tries to access a webpage that does not exist or has been moved. The number 404 is an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) status code that indicates that the server cannot find the requested resource. The 404 page is a standard response code that is generated by the web server. It is displayed on the user’s browser.

The 404-error page typically includes messages like, “Oops! We can’t seem to find the page you’re looking for. Please check the URL and try again.” or “404 Error: Page not found. We are sorry, but the page you requested cannot be found. Please try again later or contact our support team.” In some situations, a 404 page may also include branding elements and links to other relevant pages on the website.

Why is a 404 page important for your website?

The basic purpose of a 404 page is to inform the website user and guide them to a different page. This makes it an important aspect of your website. It also affects your website’s SEO to a considerable extent.

• Negative impact of a 404 page: If a user clicks on a broken link or enters a URL that does not exist, and the server returns a 404 error without further action, it could negatively affect SEO. Search engines may view this as a sign of poor website maintenance and may lower your website’s ranking. If your website has broken links that lead to a 404 page, it is essential to fix them as soon as possible. Broken links can negatively influence SEO by reducing crawlability and creating a poor user experience. This makes it important for you to check your website often and keep it updated.
• Positive impact of a 404 page: If your website has a custom 404 page that provides helpful information and guidance to the user, it could have a positive impact on SEO. Search engines value user experience and may view a helpful 404 page as a sign of a well-maintained website.

A 404-error page is an indispensable part of your website, for the following reasons:

• A 404 page can help to improve the user experience by providing helpful information and guidance when a user lands on a page that does not exist. A well-designed 404 page can help the user quickly find the information they are looking for or offer alternative options.
• A user who encounters a broken link or a page that does not exist is more likely to leave the website if they do not find any guidance or information. A helpful 404 page can retain the user’s attention and encourage them to stay on the website.
• A well-designed 404 page can prevent user frustration by offering a clear explanation and guidance on what to do next.
• A 404 page is an opportunity to reinforce the brand’s identity by incorporating branding elements such as the company’s logo, color scheme, and tone of voice. This helps to create a consistent experience for the user and reinforces brand recognition.

How do users feel about encountering a 404 page?

According to studies, 73.72% of people who reach a 404 page tend to leave the website and not return. Here’s how users react to a 404 page:

• Frustration: When users encounter a 404 page, they may experience frustration and disappointment. This is because they were expecting to find specific information or content, and the error message disrupted their flow.
• Perception of Website Quality: Users may perceive a website as less professional or less reliable if they encounter frequent 404 errors. This is because broken links and error messages are seen as a sign of poor website maintenance.
• Negative Emotions: Apart from frustration, users tend to never return to a website if they encounter frequent 404 errors.
• Lack of Trust: When a website does not provide a helpful 404 page, it can break the users’ trust. This can further create a poor relationship between the user and the website.
  
  Elements of a good 404 page

Your 404 page can be simple and effective at the same time. In order to achieve this, you need to consider the following elements:

• Inform: Your 404 page should clearly convey to the user that the page they are looking for does not exist or cannot be found. This could be done through a clear message, such as “404: Page Not Found” and an explanation of why the page is unavailable.
• Apologize: A polite apology can help ease the user’s frustration and let them know that you understand their inconvenience.
• Guide: The 404 page should provide links to other areas of your website that may be relevant to the user’s interests, such as popular pages, categories, or a search bar.
• Appeal: The design of the page should match the overall look and feel of your website, and should be visually engaging to keep the user on your website.
• Keep it simple: The page should be easy to navigate, with a clear layout and minimal distractions.
• Monitor and improve: Monitor your website’s 404 errors and track user behavior to improve the user experience and reduce the number of 404 errors in the future.
• Call to action: Including a call-to-action on the 404 page is a great way to engage with the users and ease their frustration, while nudging them to do something, such as “Check out our most popular pages” or “Start browsing our latest products.

How can you make your 404 page creative?

A creative 404 page can help engage users and turn a frustrating experience into a memorable one. Here are some ideas for making a creative 404 page:

• Use humor: A well-placed joke or humorous image can help lighten the mood and make the user feel less frustrated. However, be sure to keep the humor appropriate for your brand and audience.
• Use a creative design: Consider using a unique design that stands out from the rest of your website. This could include illustrations, animations, or bold typography.
• Incorporate branding: Your 404 page is an opportunity to reinforce your brand identity, so be sure to use your brand’s colors, logos, and messaging.
• Offer a game or interactive element: Providing an interactive part, such as a game or quiz, can make the 404 page more engaging and encourage users to spend more time on your website.
• Provide helpful resources: In addition to providing links to other pages on your website, consider providing links to helpful resources outside of your website, such as related articles or videos.
• Use a personalized message: Consider using a personalized message, such as “Oops! Looks like you took a wrong turn!” to help the user feel like they are being spoken to directly.

Some 404 pages for your inspiration

Here’s how some of the leading brands engage with users on their 404 page: