Everyone has 404 pages on their blogs.. Even if you have tried to remove all 404 pages on your website, your visitors can still go to a 404 page, for example typing in the URL incorrectly or by visiting a page with an old URL. That is why it is important to create your own 404 page. Did you know that this is also very good for your SEO? So, do you want to create your own 404 page? Then read this blog.

When a visitor visits a 404 page, he is likely to click away again. This is of course not the intention and you want the visitors to stay on your website. Of course, you would think now: “Just make sure all 404 pages are gone”, but this is much easier said than done.

Visitors can easily find a 404 page. For example, an old post that you have removed or perhaps a URL that the visitor has typed incorrectly. For example, On Pinterest, I mistakenly took over the URL of my pin, so anyone who clicked on that pin ended up on a 404 page. This is of course not the intention and my custom page saved me, from all visitors who were stuck on the 404 page. When I found out that I had typed the URL incorrectly, I had of course immediately created a redirect, but I had already missed a large number of visitors.

Create your own 404 page

Now, of course, the question is .. How do you make such a page? There are actually two possibilities for this. You can create your 404 page manually, but also with a simple plugin. First I will show my page.

My page

First, I indicate why the page can’t be found. This reassures the visitor that the website itself is not down and that he or she can simply continue reading. Then I posted some helpful links, such as a link to my home page, my about me page and my contact page.

I also posted a whole list of blog posts on my 404 page. Above you don’t see all my links, but believe me, it’s a whole list. I think I have posted over 20 blog posts here because on a 404 page internal links are very important.

I also posted a sign-up form to become a member of my newsletter. It seems rather illogical for me to sign up for my newsletter right away, but you never know. Finally, I posted a column with my recent blog posts that also automatically updates. So handy!

Creating a 404 page manually

Creating a 404 page manually is best for bloggers who can’t use plugins. So if you use Squarespace, Weebly, Blogger or even other programs that can’t use a plugin, you can manually create a 404 page.

First, make your own custom 404 page

First, it is important that you create your 404 page. You do this by simply creating a page and making that page your own 404 page. You can always take my 404 page as an example, but don’t copy, be original!

Look for the “.htaccess’ file in the root of your server

If you log in on your FTP and go to root next, you will find a file named .htaccess. Always make a backup before you move on. Don’t you see the .htaccess file? Then make one yourself!

Open de .htaccess folder en pas het aan. 

Next, you open the .htaccess file and you edit this. You need to add:

ErrorDocument 404 /not-found-page.html

/not-found-page.html needs to be the path of your new 404 page. Don’t you have this one yet? Then you need to edit your page!

Pin for later

Let’s test the 404 page!

Now it is important that we test the page. This can be done by typing in your website URL and then putting something behind that is not really a link. For example www.theblogboss.nl/enneihrei.

If all goes well, your 404 page should work now!

Making your own page with a plugin

This is a much easier method for creating a 404 page and I have used this method myself. This is definitely a recommendation for bloggers who use WordPress.org. Do you want to switch from Blogger to WordPress? Then read this blog.

Make your own custom 404 page

First, you create your own page. Consider what you want in this 404 page and what you definitely need. You have to think like: How do I keep those visitors on my website? Be original!

Download de plugin

Next, you need to download the plugin. This plugin is called 404page – your smart custom 404 page. After that, you activate this plugin.

After you have installed and activated the plugin, you go to the plugin page.

Then you are on a page that looks something like this. Actually, it all sounds a bit obvious. Under “Page to be displayed as 404 page” you select your own created page. Then you click on the blue button “Save changes”. Finally, it is, of course, important to test your page. You do this by clicking the “test 404 error” button.

So! Now you have your own page if everything went well. Doesn’t it work? Then send me a message immediately. I will help you!

Are you making your own 404 page?

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