The 404 error Page not found is the error page displayed whenever someone asks for a page that’s simply not available on your site. There are several reasons why a 404 error may happen… for example, there may be a link on your site that was wrong or the page might have been recently removed from the site. Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to have a page telling them, “Hey, this page isn’t available anymore, but maybe you should try this one?”
A 404 Error is an Opportunity to Re-Engage Your Audience
Not only should you have a 404 Error page to direct your customers to where they need to be, but having a good 404 error page is also a great opportunity to re-engage your visitor. Sometimes it may not be your fault visitors landed on 404 error pages, but being able to communicate and direct them back to the home page is a great way to stay connected to them.
Examples
Take a look at Blizzard Entertainment’s 404 Error page. Not only is the page visually interesting, creative, and funny, but it also re-engages the customer. If you click anywhere on the image, it directs you back to the homepage, the page you most likely would be looking for.
Zivity uses their 404 Error page:
- to explain that the page the visitor tried to go to does not exist (The page you were trying to reach wasn’t there)
- to reaffirm that it’s not their fault that the page isn’t there (Something bad happened.)
- to announce that they still appreciate their customer (but we still love you)
- to help the visitor find what they need (Maybe you were trying to go to one of these places?)
Finally, they provide several navigational links to allow the site user to get back on track.
Do you have a 404 error page? Is it interesting, engaging, and most of all, helpful to your customers?
