Thread: 404 pages

Hey guys.

I recently read an article on Blogussion that got me thinking... how important is a 404 page?

Well, the article highlights a load of good points that are well worth a read. When I changed my design I decided to change the 404 page a bit too...

www.teenius.com/omg

What do you do for your 404 page? Do you pay attention to it?

I think I don't have any 404's on Let's Sermo, so never really bothered.

But I was messing a LOTTTT with Aviation Earth and like every second page was a 404, so i made a nice one which had everything that's needed.

EDIT: Nice 404 page There is a list out there with many good 404's.

Hmm. I personally never used to think 404 pages were that important, but then I read that article and changed my mind.

When you say you made a nice one that had everything it needed... what did it include?

Basically everything you had.

Only thing I had an email id so that IF you wish you can mail me about the error.

Also I redirected it to the home page in 6 secs.

Originally Posted by Farrhad A

Basically everything you had.

Only thing I had an email id so that IF you wish you can mail me about the error.

Also I redirected it to the home page in 6 secs.

Hmm, the email thing is quite a good idea, but hopefully my readers will be clever enough to click 'Contact' :P I'm not sure about the redirection thing, and it definately wouldn't work, especially with the game

Just had an idea: maybe it'd be good to give an option to subscribe? Might boost the subscriber count a bit :P

It's a good idea but think of it:

You have a box at the top left (which is enough)

You have lots on the page already, how much time will someone actually spend on a 404?

Originally Posted by Farrhad A

You have lots on the page already, how much time will someone actually spend on a 404?

It depends on the 404 page really... I mean, if it's just something crappy that says 'we can't find the page you're looking for', you're unlikely to stay for more than 5 seconds, but if you see something that looks appealing to read, you'll probably stay for longer.

That then sparks the debate of whether it's good to have people on your 404 page, but that's a whole different discussion entirely :P

I think 404's and other error pages are a good idea to look into.

One of my favourites is the 404 page for the Carsonified events website: http://events.carsonified.com/404

1. It obviously tells you there's an error
2. It gives you the option to check out the events they run
3. It shows you events which are coming up soon

In my opinion, error pages are very important to your users. They should let the user know what's happened, and give them options on where to go next.

I haven't messed with our 404's but I should...

What do I think a 404 should include?

Something funny... The best ones make you laugh...

Originally Posted by BlueNinjaGo

Something funny... The best ones make you laugh...

Definately. As said in the Blogussion article I linked to, it's really important to include personality, and if you can add a joke or two in there as well, that's great