404 Error Messages identify when particular pages can’t be found by the browser and this occurs for several reasons such as mistyped URLs, a page no long existing and more. Since this is a necessity for all sites how they’re used is an important step in improving a website’s usability. In general, it is best to avoid the generic server generated messages as they often don’t contain enough information to help the user. Building alternatives is the best option and here we will explore how to do this further.
How to build relevant and user friendly 404 Error Pages:
- Maintain a consistent layout and design
The error pages should match the design and layout of the site to make sure users do not get lost or confused when redirected.
- Carefully consider the message of the Error Page
One of Jakob Nielsen’s tips for creating custom error pages is to always apologize for the inconvenience and to explain why the error has occurred, in a clear and concise way. An example of a site that does this well is Fool.com.
- Offer alternatives for finding the page
On the error page offer options to alleviate the problem, such as:
- A search field to allow users to find the information they need.
- A link to the Site Map or include the Site Map on the error page to display the site hierarchy.
- A contact form to allow users to report the error and submit the page that went wrong, which will allow you to analyze the pages causing the error.
- A list of suggested links that takes users to the major content areas of the site.
- Make sure your error message is displayed
At times IE browsers will ignore custom error messages and instead display their own; this can be avoided by making sure your page is greater than 512 bytes (with graphics not included).
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