| p>You've seen them. They're those intimidating pages | | | | the visitor can easily find something else they're |
| with white backgrounds and big black text that say... | | | | interested in. |
| 404 - Not Found | | | | Create a "We're Sorry" offer: Add a special offer to |
| What does it mean? How do you get back to where | | | | the page. Maybe it's a subscribe box for your |
| you were?! From a customer/visitor's perspective, | | | | newsletter offering a freebie when they opt-in. Or try |
| that's one annoying page. There's no explanation, no | | | | a coupon code good for their next purchase. Offer |
| information, and no links to get them back to what | | | | something that gives them a reason to stick around |
| they were looking for! | | | | browse your site more. |
| Don't let your "404 Page" scare people off when it's | | | | 2. Tell your server where that 404 page is. Once |
| easy to fix! | | | | you've created the page and put it on your site, you'll |
| To create a custom 404 error page, take these two | | | | need to tell your server where to find it. If you're on a |
| steps: | | | | cPanel server you can do this inside cPanel under the |
| 1. Create a fun page for the 404 errors to go to. Tell | | | | "Error Pages" link, or with your.htaccess file. |
| them what's wrong: You might say something like | | | | Just send a ticket to your website host and let them |
| "We're sorry, but aliens attacked my website and | | | | know what you want to do and they'll be able to help |
| destroyed the page you were looking for!" or "Oops... I | | | | you get it up and running. |
| think the server lost that page..." Make sure it's clear | | | | Don't forget to test to be sure it's working! To test it |
| that the problem is that the page they tried to visit | | | | just type in your domain name followed by a page you |
| doesn't exist anymore. Blame Godzilla's destruction, the | | | | know doesn't exist. For example, |
| Ferengi who sold the page in pursuit of Latinum, Darth | | | | That should bring up your new, very cool 404 page. |
| Vader's dark side, the black hole that ate it, or your | | | | And now you've got a customized 404 page that will |
| serger that's on the blitz. Whatever fits the style and | | | | make your visitors smile and entice them to stick |
| topic of your website. | | | | around instead of frustrating them and causing them to |
| Give them choices: Add links to your home page, any | | | | give up and go elsewhere! It might even get your |
| other main pages of your site, and a search box so | | | | website mentioned to a friend or two. |