For SEO, it does not matter much what a 404 page looks like, but looking at the user experience, it is indeed an important page. The 404 page is perhaps the most forgotten page of any Web site.
To increase the usability of your website, creating a good 404 page is a step in the right direction. We have some tips that can help you create a user-friendly 404 page.
Why is a good 404 page necessary?
The whole purpose of a 404 page is to catch a visitor coming to a page that no longer exists. It is incredibly irritating for a user to arrive at a 404 page while visiting your website. That irritation can be reduced if the 404 page is better designed.
What should a 404 page meet?
- Clearly state that it is a 404 error.
- Include a link to the home page. This makes a visitor less likely to leave the website.
- Give the visitor some options for potentially interesting pages on the website.
If you stick to these points, you should be able to show a good 404 page to your visitors. The better you meet these points, the more user-friendly your website becomes. Unfortunately, it has no direct influence on SEO, but if visitors are satisfied and stay longer on the website because of this, you will see this reflected in the Google ranking.
How do you build a good 404 page?
There are several options to fill out your 404 page. We’ve listed some examples for you:
- Informative: Use the 404 page to give the user some more information about your company, similar to an about us page. This can generate interest in the visitor and convince them to stay on the website.
- Humor: Try humor to reduce irritation, such as with a funny picture or playful text.
- CTA: Include a clear call-to-action, such as a link to your services page or products you offer.
- Creative: Make it something eye-catching with a unique design. Show that you have put effort into making it beautiful and make users feel that there is more valuable on the website.
Avoiding 404 pages on your website
Of course, you want to prevent a visitor from landing on a 404 page, but it’s always a possibility. Here are the most common reasons why a visitor lands on a 404 page:
- Typos: A small typo in the URL can lead a visitor to a 404 page.
- External link: External websites can make mistakes in their links to your site.
- Custom URL: When modifying a URL, existing links (for example, on external websites) may become obsolete and lead to a 404 page.
Need help designing a good 404 page? OnlineLabs’ web developers always have a suitable solution. For more information, please contact us.
