Hey there! Ever landed on a “Page Not Found” error while browsing? That’s a 404 page. It usually means the page someone’s looking for doesn’t exist. But those people already landed on your blog, don’t let them leave! Capture that traffic with a personalized page that will redirect your audience to your amazing content.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to easily create a custom 404 page in WordPress turn those errors into opportunities to keep visitors engaged and exploring your site. Let’s dive in! ☺️
Table of Contents
What is a 404 Page?
Let’s start with the basics… A 404 page, also known as an error page, pops up when someone tries to access a URL that doesn’t exist on your site. This can happen for a few reasons:
- The page was moved or deleted
- The user mistyped the URL
- There’s a broken or dead link
The number “404” comes from the HTTP status codes set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). When a server can’t find the page someone’s looking for, it returns this 404 status code along with a message saying the page can’t be found.
A standard 404 page is the default error page from your web server or content management system (CMS). These pages are usually very basic, showing a plain message like “404 Not Found” or “The requested URL was not found on this server.” While they do tell users the page is unavailable, they don’t offer much else. So what do most people do? They leave the website…
Why you need a personalized 404 Page
Now let’s talk about why you should have a personalized 404 page. In short, a customized 404 page is a simple way to turn a potential frustration into a positive experience. It keeps your readers happy and engaged, and it shows you care about every aspect of their visit.
First impressions matter, even in the online space. When visitors hit a dead end, a bland “404 Not Found” message can be frustrating. Or just.. you know… meh. A customized 404 page shows you care about their experience and helps maintain a positive impression.
A well-designed 404 page keeps your blog’s look and feel consistent. It reinforces your brand and reminds visitors they’re still in the right place.
Instead of letting visitors leave in frustration, a customized 404 page can guide them to popular posts, recent articles, or a search bar. You already got them here, don’t loose them!
A good personalized 404 page can help with SEO. By providing links to other parts of your site, you reduce bounce rates and keep visitors exploring, which search engines loove 🥰
In short, a personalized 404 page isn’t just about fixing errors. It’s a chance to engage your visitors, show off your brand, and keep people on your site.
Key elements of an effective personalized 404 Page
Creating a personalized 404 page is more than just slapping on your logo. It’s about turning a mistake into an opportunity. Here are the key elements you should include:
A clear message
First things first, let users know they’ve hit a dead end, but do it in a friendly way. Instead of a dry “404 Not Found,” try something like “Oops! We can’t find that page.”
Use language that fits your brand’s voice. Whether it’s casual and fun or professional and reassuring, make sure your tone is welcoming.
You can even add something unexpected. Maybe a funny image, a mini-game, or a clever message that reflects your brand’s personality.
A boring 404 page can make users leave fast. But a personalized one? It keeps them around. Give them helpful links and navigation options to hold their attention and encourage them to stick around.
Let’s be honest, we all want to be entertained. A touch of humor or a quirky message can make the error feel less frustrating ☺️
Helpful navigation
Don’t let your visitors leave! Guide them back to useful content.
Include links to your homepage, popular posts, or a search bar so they can find what they need easily.
This keeps them engaged and reduces the chances they’ll leave your site.
Visual appeal
Make your 404 page look like the rest of your site. Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos to keep things consistent. Every page on your site, even the error ones, is a chance to show off your brand’s personality ☺️
Add some engaging visuals or animations to make the page more interesting.
Clear Call to Action
Encourage users to take the next step. Whether it’s checking out your latest blog post, signing up for a newsletter, or exploring popular categories, a clear call to action can guide them back on track.
Incorporating these elements into your 404 page can transform a potential frustration into a positive experience.
Trust me, your visitors will appreciate the effort 🙂 And it can help keep them on your site longer.
So, take some time to craft a 404 page that truly represents your brand and meets your users’ needs.
If you have no idea where to start, here are 50 creative 404 pages for inspiration 🙂
How to create a custom 404 page in WordPress
Now, how do you actually create a custom 404 page in WordPress? There are a few options. You could edit your PHP files, but that’s risky and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re comfortable with coding. And since you’re reading my blog, you’re probably not a web developer 🙃
But don’t worry, there is other, easier ways 🙂
Create a personalized 404 page using a dedicated plugin:
There are several plugins that will help you design your custom 404 page. You can try the Colorlib 404 Customizer plugin. It’s free and lets you create nice 404 pages.
Create a personalized 404 page using a redirection plugin:
If you’re already using a redirection plugin and don’t want to add another one just for your 404 page, you can create a custom 404 page and use your existing plugin to redirect all 404 errors to this new page.
First, go to your WordPress Dashboard and create a new Page. You can name it page-not-found or 404-page or whatever you want.
Design it as you wish. Add graphics, buttons or whatever else you need.
You can also add your latest posts:
I use Kadence blocks and it has a Post block you can use.
Alternatively, you can click the + sign in the Gutenberg editor and click Browse all. Go to Patterns and choose one from the Posts patterns.
When you’re happy with your new custom 404 Page hit Publish.
Now, you need to use a plugin to redirect your 404 errors to this new page.
Now, if you use Rank Math, the free version can handle all your redirections. Go to Rank Math on your Dashboard and then to General settings. Scroll down to Redirections and add your new page URL in the Custom URL field.
Don’t forget to hit save and test your new site (you can type www.yoursite.com/nonsense into your browser) 🙂
If you don’t use Rank Math, you can use a simple Redirection plugin and set up the redirection there.
Create a custom 404 page using Elementor Pro:
If you have Elementor Pro, the setup is slightly different. You don’t need to redirect your errors to the new page, you can create a new 404 page directly.
On the left sidebar of your WordPress dashboard click Templates → Add new.
As a Template style, choose Error 404. Name your template as you want.
Now design it as you wish. When you’re done, click Publish. Viola, your new personalized 404 page is now live 🙂
Again, don’t forget to test thoroughly.
And there you have it – a personalized 404 page to capture even those visitors who stumble upon your blog by mistake.
Happy blogging ☺️
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