SEO and Error 404 messages
Search engine optimisation helps users to discover your website - but what kind of experience do your users have when things go wrong? If they see the dreaded "Page Not Found" message then it's time to get yourself a Custom 404 message.
If your search engine optimisation means brand new users are discovering your site, then you need to make a great first impression. Even when those inevitable mistakes happen.
It's easy to get a Custom Error 404 message. I've just implemented my own new custom 404 - please take a look. (I tell a small lie. Andy implemented it for me - thanks Andy.)
If somebody has taken the trouble to come to your site, then you should take the trouble to help them discover what they want when a page is missing.
A good Custom 404 page will:
I found this overview of Custom 404 very useful.
Geek Alert: I also had to fix the header codes to show that the new Custom 404 page wasn't actually a real page that was found, returning Code 200. Read more here.
If your search engine optimisation means brand new users are discovering your site, then you need to make a great first impression. Even when those inevitable mistakes happen.
It's easy to get a Custom Error 404 message. I've just implemented my own new custom 404 - please take a look. (I tell a small lie. Andy implemented it for me - thanks Andy.)
If somebody has taken the trouble to come to your site, then you should take the trouble to help them discover what they want when a page is missing.
A good Custom 404 page will:
- say you are sorry
- give the user the ability to search for what they want
- give signposts to useful pages
- give access to your site map
- keep a good relationship with your user
I found this overview of Custom 404 very useful.
Geek Alert: I also had to fix the header codes to show that the new Custom 404 page wasn't actually a real page that was found, returning Code 200. Read more here.
Labels: SEO
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