404 Error & How to Use It to Your Advantage

A <strong>404 error</strong> is the error message received when a requested page cannot be found. It is an http standard response code communicating to the user that contact was made with the server however<!–more–>; the server was unable to find the destination page. A lot of the time this error message can be very disruptive and frustrating for users. How many times have you come across the 404 error image below and bounced straight off a site?

<img src=”http://www.4psmarketing.com/images/Blog/Nov10/404%20error.jpg” alt=”Error 404″ />

A <strong>404 error</strong> indicates that the requested resource may be available again in the future. It may be a page on the site which is temporarily unavailable, or a URL which has been entered incorrectly. Either way the standard 404 page is very dull and off putting causing many users to leave a site. But an error 404 page does not necessarily have to have a negative impact on a site if it is implemented in a tactful way. Personalised 404 error pages can be included to entice users even when a destination page is not found by explaining to the user what has happened. Additionally, providing the user with options to continue their journey on that particular site is also useful practise in retaining site visitor traffic and good <a href=”http://www.4psmarketing.com/seo.html”>SEO </a>practice.

<img src=”http://www.4psmarketing.com/images/Blog/Nov10/custom%20404.jpg” alt=”Custom 404 Error Page” />

The above 404 error is quite contrasting from the standard 404 error pages as shown at the beginning. It incorporates a colourful image, explains that the requested page may have been lost and provides an option to return to the site’s homepage. It is a very simple <strong>404 error</strong> message, yet its impact can be the difference between a user bouncing off the site or a user staying onsite and achieving a Google Analytics goal.

• No Related Post