Techniques To Take Advantage Of Your 404 Error Page

Web Development

06
Mar 2020

Harnil Oza

2327 Views 4 Minute Read

The 404 error is one of the most common HTTP status codes that a user can find when browsing a website. There are several reasons why the server can return this error to visitors. Perhaps it is because the visitor is requesting a resource that has never existed on the site, the page has been deleted or an error has been made when inserting the URL into the browser.

In many cases, you choose to direct the pages to the correct URL to eliminate the amount of 404 errors the page has. While this is an excellent way to optimize the usability of the website in general. However, this is an error that can be shown on certain occasions that are already out of your control, for example, if the user searches for a resource that simply does not exist within the site. On these occasions, it is good to consider some options to optimize and take advantage of the error page 404. In this article, we mention some alternatives.

Add related links to the initial search

Although this is a standard page on many websites, it is not pleasant for visitors to run into this error when they browse. For this reason, we look for a way to minimize the damage and place a message and graphic that is consistent with the brand and that makes the user forget the error he just found.

An effective way to improve the user experience is to personalize this page so that links related to the user's search appear. Whether the user has not placed the correct word in the search bar or simply the keyword has not received any results. In this case, placing links related to that word can be of great help to your users and prevent them from leaving the page disgusted.

To implement this method, you need to have experience working with code or in any case ask the app developers for help to incorporate this feature into the site. By doing so, the possibility of conversion and prolonging the user's visit are increased. As a result, the bounce rate decreases, a good indicator that your website is offering a good user experience.

Add important navigation links

While it is common to place an ingenious message, a photograph, and a button to return to the home page, you can go further and place other links that are helpful, such as the main menu sections of your website. In this way, the visitor saves a few seconds of navigation because he avoids going to the home page and looking for the section or page that interests him most.

It is essential to identify which are the most popular or most useful pages for your users. Although it makes sense to place the main sections of the menu, in certain situations, it may be more effective to choose sections of the sub-menu that are more visited or popular. This is how you offer an alternative to users and if you have investigated the most popular links or sections on your website, there is a high probability that the user will not leave the page after determining that the resource does not exist.

Place a list of links of popular or recent entries

This is a beneficial strategy if your website is a blog or if you have an attached blog section. It is about selecting the most popular entries, either since the creation of the blog or those that have been part of a monthly ranking. If they are relevant topics, then they can be part of the list of featured links for your 404 error page.

In this case, it is important to carefully choose the entries that will be displayed on the page. You should consider the topic, the number of times it has been viewed, shared and the number of comments it has. You should also analyze whether the subject in question is still relevant. It is preferable to choose recent topics or that is still relevant, to offer the user information that they value.

Place links of free resources

If you offer free content on your website continuously, page 404 is also a medium where you can promote this content. Users like free content, there is no doubt about that. Perhaps, upon entering the homepage they had not noticed that you offer download of resources or free content and it is on this page that they find out about the resources you offer to the community.

Like the list of popular entries, you must carefully select the content you offer for free, particularly if you usually do it continuously and have a lot of resources to choose from.

In conclusion

The 404 error page is a common HTTP status code. At some point, certain visitors to your page will be shown and in some situations, it cannot be avoided. What you can do is to dropped links, optimize the search bar and take advantage of the opportunity offered by this type of error to improve the user experience of your visitors.

Remember that it is not necessary to use a single technique at the same time, you can combine some of them. For example, offering free resources and including entries may be the ideal solution for your blog if you usually share resources.

Hire the top 3% of best-in-class developers!

Harnil Oza

Harnil Oza is the CEO & Founder of Hyperlink InfoSystem. With a passion for technology and an immaculate drive for entrepreneurship, Harnil has propelled Hyperlink InfoSystem to become a global pioneer in the world of innovative IT solutions. His exceptional leadership has inspired a multiverse of tech enthusiasts and also enabled thriving business expansion. His vision has helped the company achieve widespread respect for its remarkable track record of delivering beautifully constructed mobile apps, websites, and other products using every emerging technology. Outside his duties at Hyperlink InfoSystem, Harnil has earned a reputation for his conceptual leadership and initiatives in the tech industry. He is driven to impart expertise and insights to the forthcoming cohort of tech innovators. Harnil continues to champion growth, quality, and client satisfaction by fostering innovation and collaboration.

Latest Blogs

App Development

Cost to Build a Train Ticket App like Trenitalia in Italy

...

December 2024

13 Mins To Read 125 Views

App Development

How To Integrate Your POS System with Uber, DoorDash, and Grubhub?

...

December 2024

9 Mins To Read 176 Views

App Development

Top 10 Tips To Increase Online Orders On Third-Party Delivery Apps

...

how to increase your online food delivery orders on third-party apps?

December 2024

12 Mins To Read 148 Views

App Development

Top Android App Development Frameworks

...

December 2024

9 Mins To Read 238 Views

Our Latest Podcast

Listen to the latest tech news and trends we have discovered.

Listen Podcasts

blockchain

Is BlockChain Technology Worth The H ...

Unfolds The Revolutionary & Versatility Of Blockchain Technology ...

blockchain

IoT Technology - A Future In Making ...

Everything You Need To Know About IoT Technology ...

Feel Free to Contact Us!

We would be happy to hear from you, please fill in the form below or mail us your requirements on info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com

Full Name

Contact No.

Skype

Location

Project Budget :

Message

*We sign NDA for all our projects.

Hyperlink InfoSystem Bring Transformation For Global Businesses

Starting from listening to your business problems to delivering accurate solutions; we make sure to follow industry-specific standards and combine them with our technical knowledge, development expertise, and extensive research.