No one like errors on a website. But if at all they happen, you should be armed with a effective rectification. A 404 Error Page is a page that gets displayed when users request for a page that is not available on the website. It could be because the link that was specified is incorrect or the page has been removed.

Error pages are more than just error rectification pages. They can illustrate the personality of your website and enhance the user experience. That is why it is not enough to place 404 Error pages on your website but it is important to design them well. Here are some tips to do a good job with them.

Customize the Page
When you are working on improving the design of your 404 Error Page, don't stick to the default design. Move on and customize the page so that it illustrates your business branding and gives you a chance to deliver more out of it.

A standard 404 error page has little information. It only has the option to return to the previous page. Considering this, if users have landed on the error page from some external link there is no way you can retain them. This is why it is important to make your error pages more user-friendly and offer them more ways than one to get back to your website.

Maintain Consistency
Customization is fine as long as you maintain consistency of the error page with the rest of the pages of your website. Keep the structure of the error page similar to the rest of your website so that users don't feel alienated when they move from one to another. Make your users feel they are at home, at the same website just that there has occurred an error. The least you can do is to keep a recognizable banner or logo that viewers can instantly connect with and be reassured.

Stick to the Basics
A common mistake made by designers is that they design their 404 error pages so intricately that ultimately users get intimidated. If users arrive from an external link and get all overwhelmed by your error page, there are bleak chances that they will want to visit your website. The 404 error pages should aim to direct visitors to the required information as quickly as possible.

You can offer links to the popular and important pages of your website so that users can go there and find something that they need. Another important thing you can do is to include the Search feature that lets the users search for the exact information that they need.

Offer Directions
The 404 error page should offer directions to key links and pages of the website. And the most important of all is the link to the Homepage. This will let users start afresh and browse your website in addition to searching for key information.

Design Creatively
Don't be plain and blatant. Show some creativity on your 404 error pages and make your users feel at ease. However, take care you don't go overboard with the creativity quotient because then you will offer less information and more confusion to your users.

Maneet Puri leads LeXolution IT services, a leading web development company in India that provides world class website design services and KPO solutions to its clients. Maneet has many years of experience in the website design and development industry and writes many articles about the trends and technologies therein. He also maintains a blog at www.lexolution.in/blog.