Creating Custom 404 Error Pages

This article shows you how to create a custom 404 error page that appears when visitors land on a broken link or missing page on your website.

What is a 404 Error Page

A 404 error page appears when someone visits a web address that doesn't exist on your site. This happens when pages get deleted, URLs change, or someone types the wrong address. Instead of showing a boring default message, you can create a helpful custom page that guides visitors back to your content.

Method 1: Using Your WordPress Theme

Most WordPress themes include a basic 404 page that you can customise.

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to Appearance → Theme Editor
3. Look for a file called "404.php" in the file list on the right
4. Click on 404.php to edit it
5. Change the text between the HTML tags to create your custom message
6. Click "Update File" to save your changes

Method 2: Creating a 404 Page with Page Builders

If your theme uses a page builder like Elementor or Gutenberg blocks, you can design your 404 page visually.

1. Go to Pages → Add New in your WordPress admin
2. Create your 404 page content using your page builder
3. Include helpful elements like a search box, navigation menu, or links to popular pages
4. Save the page but don't publish it yet
5. Go to Appearance → Customize
6. Look for a "404 Page" or "Error Page" option
7. Select your newly created page as the 404 template
8. Click "Publish" to make it live

What to Include on Your 404 Page

Your custom 404 page should help visitors find what they're looking for:

• A clear message explaining the page wasn't found
• A search box so visitors can search your site
• Links to your main pages (Home, About, Contact)
• Your main navigation menu
• A link to your sitemap or recent blog posts
• Your contact information if they need help

Testing Your 404 Page

To test if your custom 404 page works:

1. Visit your website
2. Add random letters to the end of your web address (like yoursite.com/randompage)
3. Press Enter
4. You should see your custom 404 page instead of a generic error

If you see issues with broken links across your site, check out Broken Links and 404s for troubleshooting help.

If you're still stuck creating your custom 404 page, contact Web60 support through your portal and we'll help you set it up.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to create a 404 page for SEO?

A: While not required, a custom 404 page improves user experience and can help keep visitors on your site longer. This indirectly helps with SEO.

Q: Can I redirect all 404 errors to my homepage?

A: It's better to show a 404 page than redirect everything to your homepage. Search engines prefer proper 404 responses for genuinely missing pages.

Q: Why doesn't my 404 page show the same design as my other pages?

A: Your theme might have a separate template for 404 pages. Check your theme documentation or contact support to match your site's design.

Q: How do I know if people are hitting 404 errors on my site?

A: You can check for 404 errors in Google Search Console or by adding Google Analytics to track error pages.

Q: Can I track how many people see my 404 page?

A: Yes, if you have Google Analytics installed, it will automatically track 404 page views.

Q: What's the difference between a 404 error and other website errors?

A: A 404 error specifically means "page not found" while other errors like 500 errors indicate server problems rather than missing content.

Q: Should I include my full website menu on the 404 page?

A: Yes, including your main navigation helps visitors easily find other parts of your website instead of leaving your site entirely.