4 Ways to Make Visitors Love your 404-page in Squarespace + How to Customize it [UPDATED 2023]
Imagine this scenario: You spot your dream Chanel Flap in a boutique. It's a classic color, so it's pricey and in limited stock. To avoid impulsive buying, you take a day to think. But when you return, the sales agent breaks the news—it's sold out. Frustration and disappointment well up inside you, and you're on the verge of tears. However, the sales agent quickly offers an alternative store with the same bag. Relief washes over you, and you finally get your dream bag.
This situation mirrors the experience of encountering a 404 page on a website. A 404 page, also known as an error page, appears when users accidentally access a missing page on a website. Just like the Chanel bag scenario, encountering a 404 page can be frustrating for users, and it may tempt them to leave your site.
In this blog post, we'll explore how to make your Squarespace 404 page more appealing and user-friendly, ensuring your visitors stay engaged.
FOR YOU NOT TO GET LOST:
So what are 404 pages?
It is also called an error page. It is the content that the users see when they accidentally accessed a missing page or a website.
Seeing that 404 pages are dreadful to the users, it’s like knowing that a Chanel bag is not available and wants to leave the store immediately. That’s why a quick response is needed for them not to click that x button on your website.
Why does a 404 page appear?
Before we delve into revamping your 404 page, it's essential to understand why it appears in the first place. Several reasons can trigger a 404 page:
Server Problems: Sometimes, the server hosting your website may face issues, leading to unavailable pages.
Page Transfer Without Forwarding: If you've recently updated your website's structure or URLs and haven't set up proper redirects, old links may result in 404 errors.
Nonexistent Page: Occasionally, pages get deleted or renamed, leaving behind broken links.
User Mistyped the URL: Users can make typographical errors when manually entering URLs, leading them to the wrong page or a non-existent one.
Damaged URL: External links to your site with incorrect or damaged URLs can also generate 404 errors.
Now, let's dive into the tips and tricks for enhancing your Squarespace 404 page.
Today I’ll talk about how you can pamper your 404 pages and make sure that your visitors won’t leave your website.
Did you know that Squarespace’s 404 page is fully customizable? If you don’t, you probably have this error page:
Not pretty appealing, right? It’s too wordy, and there’s nothing to link your visitors anywhere to your website. When your visitor sees this, they will probably leave your website before they can read what’s written.
Luckily, Squarespace makes it easy to DIY your 404 pages; you just need to put some effort into transforming it.
Tips and Tricks for your 404 page:
PERSONALIZED HEADER
You literally can use your creativity and personality in customizing your header. Just don’t put the cliche “We couldn't find the page you were looking for”. You can put anything outside the box to make your page relatable.
Here are some examples:
“Oh, Snap! This page doesn’t exist (sorry!) You can go to this page instead…”
“Oh No! Are you looking for something else? But don’t give up on us yet!”
SEARCH BAR
A search bar is also an excellent addition to your 404 page to let your visitors manually search for the content they are looking for. Just add the search bar block for this.
LINK TO YOUR BLOG
Of course, this is a great way to shamelessly plug your blog! By adding this option, they can be aware that you have a blog.
PROVIDE CONTACT DETAILS
You can also add a contact form to better connect to your visitors. Strengthen your connection with visitors by this technique. Trust me, with your 404 page, you can book a customer!
BONUS 3 TIPS!
5. USE ENGAGING IMAGERY
Consider incorporating visuals that resonate with your brand. Whether it's a friendly mascot or a humorous image, visuals can lighten the mood and keep visitors on your site.
6. SUGGEST POPULAR PAGES
Analyze your website's analytics to determine which pages receive the most traffic. Direct visitors to these popular pages from your 404 page to ensure they find valuable content.
7. OFFER A FUN ELEMENT
Inject some fun into your 404 page with interactive elements like games or quizzes. This unexpected twist can turn a frustrating experience into an enjoyable on
I also explored some 404 pages of other websites, and one of my favorite is from Coschedule:
What’s more calming than seeing adorable dogs, right?
You can read this blog post for more inspo! The Best 404 Pages: 37 Examples You Need to See.
Customizing your 404 page will favor our friend SEO since it will keep your users from leaving your website. They will be engaged enough to navigate throughout your website.
This is also a great way to show off your branding.
How to Customize your 404 page?
LET’S GET ON!
Navigate to Home Menu > Design > 404 page.
Click "Create a new page."
In the Pages Panel, add a new page in the Not Linked section.
Customize the page by adding blocks. Don't forget to save and label it!
Return to Design > 404 page.
Select the page you created and save it.
Voila! You now have a personalized 404 page that ensures your visitors won't leave your site in frustration. Neglecting to customize your 404 page can give the impression that you're not invested in your website, so make the effort to create a memorable experience.
BONUS: FAQ!
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Customizing your 404 page is crucial because it provides a better user experience. When visitors encounter a friendly, helpful 404 page, they are more likely to stay on your website and find the content they were looking for, reducing bounce rates and improving your website's overall engagement.
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Customizing your 404 page can have a positive impact on your SEO. When visitors stay on your site and navigate to other pages through your 404 page, it signals to search engines that your website offers valuable content. Additionally, providing a clear path for users to find what they're looking for can improve your site's search engine rankings.
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You can track the performance of your 404 page through website analytics. Look for metrics such as bounce rate, the time visitors spend on the page, and the number of users who navigate to other pages from the 404 page. These metrics can help you assess the success of your customization efforts.
Conclusion
I’ve seen many Squarespace websites that don't have a customized 404 page, and it’s not really appealing. Your visitors may interpret that you are not putting effort into studying your website at all! That’s the impression you want to avoid.
Remember, don’t overdo it! Just the right formula of what is really needed for your 4040, and who knows? You may attract more customers than ever.
If you’ve learned anything from this blog post, don’t forget to comment below the link of your 404 page; We’re excited to hear from you!
Bonus content!
Customizing your 404 pages is a great way to show your visitors that you care for them. It’s like that good sales agent that knows exactly what you need. Understanding and caring for your visitors is a must to build a connection with them. I always say this, but relationships are really essential not only for your business but also because we are all human.
There is so much hate in this world, so be the one who spreads love and kindness to other people.
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