Why A 404 Page Is Important & How To Customise It

Jenny Marsden --December 9, 2019

Customising your 404 Page

In Geek speak, a 404 error is when a visitor to your website tries to access a page that doesn't exist. Most commonly, they may either manually type in an incorrect URL or they click on a broken link. When that happens a 404 error is returned and without a customised 404 page they might see something like this error below. 

This is not only pretty ugly it can be a little scary to some visitors and you might immediately loose them as potential customers. 

By creating your own customised 404 error page you can reassure them that it's not some horrible spam virus and encourage them to click further into your website. You can also take this opportunity to reinforce you brand style and personality with your 404 error page. 

Some great 404 custom pages

There are some really great 404 pages available around the web. Here are some examples of what you can do with your own customised 404 page.


AirBnB's error page is animated and really worth a look.

The little girl actually drops her ice cream and while I'm not quite sure what a little girl with ice cream has to do with holiday accommodation, it is amusing. The link below will show you her in action.

This one above by Car Wow a UK company has an actual game you can play. Simply click the "Start" text and use your arrow keys to drive the car around boulders and other traffic. I got sucked down the rabbit hole for about 15 mins but it was really fun!

How to customise your 404 page.

Fortunately on the platform I use, 404 pages are really easy to customise and this video below will explain how to do it. It might take a little bit of planning and research to fully embrace the style and theme you would like to portray, however as long as it is 
  • reassuring to your clients, 
  • reinforces your brand & 
  • enables your visitor to easily move on
that will be enough for your website clients to continue on their path with you. 

If you are not one of my clients but your web provider uses Duda as a platform this video will also show you how to customise your 404 page.

< Older Post Newer Post >
Add a recovery email or an alternative email you can access anywhere.

Add A Recovery Email To Your Google Account

By Jenny Marsden • January 28, 2025
So you don't find yourself locked out of your Google account, add a recovery email or an alternative email you can access anywhere.

Say Goodbye to Chrome's RAM Issues with Memory Saver

By Jenny Marsden • March 27, 2023
Are you having challenges with Chrome Browser using all your system RAM and slowing everything down? This Feature Flag from Chrome will help you to stop Chrome being such a RAM pig and set you on the path to better browsing.

Reasons Why You Should Reconsider Designing Your Website Yourself

By Jenny Marsden • March 22, 2023
If you are considering designing and developing your small business website yourself, there are a few considerations you should be aware of. Check out my list of what to think about when doing your own DIY website Vs getting a professional web design expert.

Googles Web Core Vitals Update for Clients

By Jenny Marsden • May 20, 2021
Things you can do and that I will be doing in response to Google's latest Web Core Vitals update.
Google tips for searching effectively.

Google Search Tips #7 - Get Straight To The Search Box

By Jenny Marsden • April 27, 2021
Google Tips Number 7 - How to get back into the search box on Google's results page. This simple keystroke can save you HOURS each month.

Easy FREE Background Remover Tool

By Jenny Marsden • April 20, 2021
While it is far from perfect, if you have a good clean clear photo with a very contrasting background, this tool might be what you need. I tested it with 3 different photos and you can see my results here.

How To Format A Blog Post

By Jenny Marsden • March 23, 2021
Blogging isn't as easy as it once was. With over 7 billion (yes that's a B) blogs now online getting found can be a huge challenge. Learn how to research and create a blog post that will keep your readers coming back for more.

Audience Grabbing Blog Post Ideas To Use

By Jenny Marsden • September 15, 2020
Blogging can be really hard. Don't add extra pressure by not formatting a catchy blog post title which could mean you blog post never gets read. Use these tips to have your readers clicking through on every single post.

Choosing Keywords And Phrases For Your Website

By Jenny Marsden • May 14, 2020
Choosing keywords and phrases for your website can be a challenging process. This guide will help you to work out what you are looking to achieve and how to go about it.
Show More