Would you have failed if your users ended up on a simple 404 page HTML instead of a functioning one? Do you fear they will jump off your website immediately? Imagine the bounce rate. Horrifying.
Does it have to be that way, though? No! There are a whole variety of reasons why the search may result in 404 pages, but it doesn't have to be the final destination. This is an opportunity to implement clever SEO and marketing and redirect users somewhere fun. Well, more fun to them than a broken blank page. More beneficial to you than just watching them leave through statistics. You'd hate to see it.
Let's figure it out, then. Why do 404 pages occur, how to handle them, and what use will they bring to your business? Starting from the beginning.
What is a 404 page? This type of page appears when a web server cannot find the requested page. The reasons for this happening can vary, though:
Here’s a real question: do 404 errors hurt SEO? Yes. Such pages can be harmful if not handled properly. When a user encounters a page 404 error, it means that the server was unable to locate the requested page. Search engines interpret this as a sign of poor website maintenance. That’s never a good sign.
Google, or any other search engine for that matter, wants to deliver the most relevant and high-quality results. Guess what happens if a website has many broken links or pages that lead to page errors? Your website can get marked as not well-maintained or lacking quality content, leading to a lower ranking in search results. Nobody wants that, of course. That is why developers, testers, and marketers search for broken links like hawks. Eliminate major weak spots as early as you can.
Realistically though, you can’t control everything. Errors can and will occur, not even necessarily on your end, as we saw in the list above. Some users just ask for the wrong address. Some pages you linked to a year ago simply disappear from existence. How do you keep track of all that?
Do not despair, though. There are ways to minimize the negative impact of page 404 errors on SEO. One way is to create a custom 404 page. It should either provide helpful information to visitors or direct them to other relevant content on the website. Preferably even both. Also, it should look great — as great as the rest of your website. Visitors will stay engaged with the website, and you will reduce the bounce rate. Now we’ve turned lemons into lemonade.
Particular reasons you should have a custom page 404 error on your web:
Another great way to minimize the negative impact of 404 errors is to use 301 redirects. It’s a permanent redirect that sends visitors from a broken link to a relevant page on the website. This can help preserve the traffic and backlinks associated with the broken link or the deleted page, a positive factor for on-page SEO.
In short: creative web design and strategic redirects are your tickets to prevent the website from sinking into the dark depths of search results. Use it wisely.
Now that you know the importance of the HTML 404 page, you’ll need a way of identifying them. Manual search is no fun in this case — there are plenty of more important things you could be doing. There are several ways to check your website for page 404 errors:
So many options. Which one to choose? We, for once, recommend using Dead Link Checker.
Dead Link Checker is an online tool that allows you to check websites for broken links, including links that lead to page 404 errors. The tool scans the website and identifies broken links, providing detailed information such as the HTTP status code, the linking page, and the anchor text.
Using Dead Link Checker is as simple as it gets: all you need to do is enter your website's URL and click the "Check" button. The tool will then crawl your website and generate a report of any broken links. The report can be downloaded in several formats, including CSV, Excel, and HTML.
In addition to identifying broken links, Dead Link Checker also provides additional features:
Dead Link Checker offers both a free and a paid version. The free version allows you to check up to 2000 links per website, while the paid version provides additional features such as unlimited link checking and daily email reports. The free plan should cover most of the needs.
A 404 page can be an opportunity to engage with your visitors and turn a negative experience into a positive one. Here are some tips on how to make your 404 page convert:
Being resilient and inventive is an integral part of any business. Turn accidents into opportunities. Create a 404 page that is unique and provides helpful information. Make it reflect your brand, and offer a positive experience. In this way, you will turn a negative situation into a potential conversion.
Webflow is a low-code website builder that allows you to create custom websites. You can even use a 404 error page template.
Here's a short guide:
Webflow also allows you to set up redirects so visitors are automatically redirected to a relevant page on your website. To set up a redirect, click the "Page Settings" button for your 404 page and then select the "Redirects" tab. From there, you can create a new redirect by entering the old URL and the unique URL you want visitors directed to.
Creating a creative 404 page is a fantastic solution for several reasons:
Check out these creative pages to get inspired to create yours:
A 404 page will happen, and it will happen for different reasons. Technical issues are on your side to find and fix, but for users that input nonsensical requests into a search bar, you better have a cool 404 page to entertain them with.
Here are the main points to take into account:
Now that you know how to make a 404 error page for your website, it’s time to put them to use. And remember, if you'd like to have a helping hand on your development and marketing journey, just shoot us a message. Our team is always ready to help with Webflow web design services.
Good luck!
A 404 page not found error means that the webpage requested by a visitor cannot be found on the website. It is typically caused by broken links, incorrect URLs, or deleted/moved webpages.
1. Create a new webpage and title it "404" or "Page Not Found." 2. Add helpful information, such as a search bar or links to other pages on your site. 3. Keep the design on-brand and engaging for visitors. 4. Test the 404 page to ensure it displays correctly and provides a positive user experience.
Generally, 404 errors do not hurt your SEO if they are occasional and not excessive. However, if your website has a high number of 404 errors, it can negatively impact your SEO by reducing user experience and indicating to search engines that your site may not be well-maintained.
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