The Benefits of a Custom 404 Error Page

404 error pages can be extremely frustrating for users, but they are more than that for a business. A 404 error page on your site can weaken the business’s trust with its customers and pose the risk of losing new ones. This is why it is highly recommended a business implement a customer 404 error page for their site. One of the beneficial reasons for a custom 404 error page is that it has the opportunity to better user experiences on the business’s site. A generic and automated 404 error page doesn’t provide the searcher with any options to help them, it feels as if it is the end of the line, and that can turn new users off to a business or brand and increase the site’s bounce rate. There are multiple features for a 404 error page. Examples of these features include an explanation as to why the user ended up there, links to other pages containing additional products the business may offer, a search bar to help the user target what they are looking for, and another way to contact the business (phone number, email, fax, etc.) if the user cannot find what they are looking for on the website. 404 pages also are an opportunity for the business to steer the user’s bad experience into a better one by incorporating humorous elements or visuals. 404 pages don’t have to be a negative thing!