Transform the mistake into an opportunity… and a smile.

Small mistake, big discomfort

Imagine: a visitor arrives on your site, happy to discover your services… and BAM  he comes across a page 404.

Translation: The requested page does not exist. It’s like opening the door to a store and finding a blank wall with “oops” written on it.

Result? The visitor leaves the site, frustrated, as if after a false hope of a biscuit in a sewing box.

But good news: it can be funny. And above all, useful.

What exactly is a 404 page?

This is the message that your server sends to an Internet user when the page they are looking for does not exist (or no longer exists).

This can happen because:

  • He clicked on a broken link,
  • You changed the URL without redirection,
  • He tried to access a page that never existed (hello prankster bots).

The problem with classic 404s: total boredom

…and nothing else.
No link. No return possible. No fun. The interstellar void.
A bit like getting lost in a hotel corridor without a room number.

What if we did better? Room for creativity

A good 404 page is:

  • A bit of second degree,
  • A little of nice design,
  •  And above all, concrete solutions for the visitor to stay.

Some ideas already tested (and approved):

  •  A funny message : “This page got busted. Don't panic, we have other cool stuff around here. »
  •  An illustration : lost cat, lost spaceship, desolate dinosaur…
  •  A back button : to the home page, the site map or a popular section.

Transform error into conversion

Yes! A 404 page can:

  •  Redirect to a current promotion,
  •  Provide a link to your blog articles,
  •  Offer a contact form (in case the person is looking for something specific),
  •  Or even offer a discount code to console them. (Yes, some do. And it works.)

In short, instead of losing a visitor, you hire him, you amuse him, even... you convert him.

Some tips for a slamming 404 page:

  •  Maintain the visual identity of your site : don’t let the visitor believe that they have changed planets.
  •  Be clear : Explain that this is an error, without technical jargon.
  •  Add an internal search engine : he wants to find something? Give him the means.
  •  And above all, measure your 404s in Google Analytics : if a lot of people come across it… maybe it’s not them, the problem

In summary:

Bad 404

  • “Page not found”
  • No return option
  • Empty or sad
  • Traffic loss
Happy 404
  • “Looks like this page got lost in the digital sea”
  • Home button, useful links
  • Humor, design, clarity
  • Opportunity for conversion or retention

And you, your 404 page what does it do?

If she still looks like a black-and-white “Error” sign, it might be time to give her a little smile makeover.
And if you don't know where to start, guess what?

We love 404s. And we can make one that will make your visitors laugh (and stay).