Creating A Custom 404 Error Page
I like having a custom 404 (not found) error page.
This helps us in a few ways:
1. We can express our apologies for providing a broken link
2. We are able to give them something there and explain what they can do now that they found a non existent page.
3. Link back to 'WA' again.
4. We can add our flair; instead of using the browsers default display.
How To Create a Custom 404 Page
1. Using FTP download your .htaccess file (make sure you allow your computer to show hidden files or else you won't be able to see the file). If you don't have an .htaccess file on your server just open a text editor and follow the next steps.
2. Open the file if you have it download. Then add this line:
ErrorDocument 404 /notfound.html
Make sure you name your custom html file 'notfound.html' so that the server knows what to show.
3. Save the .htaccess file. Please note, when using Notepad on Windows, you will need to enter ".htaccess" (including the opening and closing quotation marks) into the "Save As" dialog box when you create the file, otherwise Notepad will append a ".txt" extension. Sneaky Windows...
4. Make (or find a free) 404 error page and save as an html file when finished.
5. Upload both the .htaccess and the notfound.html files to your server's main directory. This will allow they new 404 page to be shown for any broken link on your server.
Recent Comments
2
I'll be darned. I saw your title and thought why would I WANT to create a page I always dread happening across when I'm searching? Lo and behold you present a reason for creating one! Well done! I'll do it tomorrow though, this late at night I'd goof it up :)
Hello - hope this helps give reasons for a 404 page:
www.cms2cms.com/blog/let-404-error-page-hypnotise-you