The message “Not Found – The requested URL was not found on this server” is a clear indication that you’ve encountered the 404 error. In simpler terms, your web server was unable to find a certain entity you were looking for. Undoubtedly it’s a big turn-off for your website users, but you can turn this error page into not-so-irritating page by following the given tips:

• Error page should resemble your webpage

A 404 error page should not be an unhelpful white page displaying the message “NOT FOUND”. Rather it should look like other pages and have the same web design, so that the user does not feel completely lost.

• Saying sorry won’t hurt

A 404 error is an outcome of some broken link on your website or some external website. This really isn’t the users fault, and you should apologize for the inconvenience you’ve caused them, maybe this will be helpful in turning their scowl to smile.

• Search box can help

In many circumstances, the page a user is finding may be present but the link address might have changed or the error occurred due to some typing fault. If this is the case, don’t let your user wander away and be sure to provide them with a search box options so they can find what they were really looking for. Having a website design well integrating search box will be effective for 404 pages.

• Link the users back

If a certain link does not exist anymore, the search option won’t do. In this regard, you can try giving alternative useful links to the user. Don’t make them sit there and question what to do next, instead throw some links at them so they can grab and get back to you. These can be the links back to your home page, or any popular pages of your website.

• Know the error yourself

What’s essential for you is to know why users receive a particular 404 error, so you can fix this problem for future. You can do this by putting up a simple contact form on the error page, which the user can fill in and let you know the cause of error. But this seldom happens as the users don’t have much time, so you can also utilize an alternative by having your 404 page automatically report the error to you. Contact your developers for this aspect.

• A touch of wit

Humoring the user can really help you fight back the negative impact of a 404 page. You must have encountered several 404 errors with a gloomy face, but a page that produces a smile can never feel so annoying to the user after all. Try spicing it up a bit, and you have already rectified the error for a start. Tackle your 404 boo-boo with the above given tips, and you’ll get away with the nasty slip up quite easily. If the page doesn’t hurt your user, what have you to complain about?