The 404 error pages are one unavoidable component of your web life. Even though encountering an error page is annoying, you will see a “404: Page not found” message once in a while. These errors can result from various reasons, including broken links, moving the webpage, the server being down, redesigning the website, typing the wrong URL address, or forgetting to set up a 301 redirect. But regardless of the reason for the 404 errors, they are frustrating and lead to a negative user experience.
To reduce this negative experience, designing awesome 404 pages is essential. Creating a user-friendly, functional, and eye-catchy custom 404 page offers many advantages, such as:
- Reduce the disappointment and frustration posed by the inability to find relevant and valuable resources they want to see on a landing page.
- Enhance rebranding and marketing efforts.
- At times, it can even help in improving conversion rates.
Table of Contents
- What Makes The Best 404 Page Amazing?
- Creative 404 Error Page Examples That Will Inspire You In 2023
- 1. Airbnb
- 2. Heinz
- 3. iPlanwebsites.com
- 4. BlueFountainMedia
- 5. Amazon
- 6. Huffington Post
- 7. Pixar
- 8. iFolderLinks
- 9. HootSuite
- 10. WAZA
- 11. Steve Lambert
- 12. MailChimp
- 13. BluePath
- 14. Tinsanity
- 15. The Australian
- 16. IMDb
- 17. Lego
- 18. 9gag – Interactive 404 Page
- 19. Slack – Animated 404 Page
- 20. GitHub
- 21. Blizzard
- In brief
What Makes The Best 404 Page Amazing?
A few years back, error pages were considered irrelevant; just another page to see and nothing else. Hence they were the least bothered part of a website. But today, most smart businesses have identified their importance, and a 404 page is really considered a branding opportunity. Therefore, most brands are customizing their 404 pages with beautiful designs and keeping it simple. You can keep your visitors phenomenal 404 pages by following these practices:
- Adding links to vital pages such as their home page and links to the most popular pages of their website.
- Incorporating a search bar on top of the page.
- Providing contact details
- Enabling the users to report any problem.
- Adding humor to the page
- Maintaining the theme of the brand
- Making the page interactive and appealing by incorporating elements of gamification and videos
- Providing a CTA button
If you are considering designing a custom 404 page, look into these remarkable examples of 404 pages for inspiration.
Creative 404 Error Page Examples That Will Inspire You In 2023
1. Airbnb
If you are looking for some interactive 404 pages, then the 404 Page of Airbnb is the best example. They have developed a helpful error message page with a great GIF that will pique the audience’s interest and help them get on the right track.
The page has confirmed the website’s template and has header and footer links. They have also added a search bar and other sign-up links. You can also see links to the most popular pages of the site. Additionally, along with the 404 error code, they have given a simple and concise explanation for the cause of the error.
2. Heinz
The 404 page of Heinz is one of the most unique and clever 404 pages you will come across. They have used the image of an empty bottle of tomato sauce that something has gone wrong. The page consists of a navigation menu that aligns with the website builder. In the search bar, you can find various search options.
The page has also incorporated the most useful links to the website’s most popular blogs. Moreover, they guide the users in the right direction and show how to make the maximum out of all the options available on the page using simple language.
3. iPlanwebsites.com
You’ll love the 404 page of iPlanwebsites shows how to design an error page to make the audience curious and intrigue them. This error page is successful in grabbing the audience’s attention and can be very helpful in the word of mouth marketing. This 404 page can make your brand memorable and familiar to your targeted audience.
4. BlueFountainMedia
Encountering an error page and not finding the resources they want can disappoint and frustrate the website visitors. Visitors would love to have some fun in the meantime when waiting for the site to load? Adding a game to the 404 page can be one of the best 404 error message to cheer up disappointed visitors and they don’t want to leave the site without just trying it out.
And BlueFountainMedia’s customized 404 error page has brilliantly incorporated a well-designed Pacman game into the 404 page. I mean who doesn’t love Pacman?
In addition to the game, the page shows other elements like navigation links, call-to-action buttons, and branded website. This page can turn a potentially negative experience into an enjoyable one and even have the potential to be shared with their users on their social media pages.
5. Amazon
Here’s another error page that you need to check out, it is the amazon 404 page. Indeed, you might find amazon’s standard 404 page somewhat plain, but still, they are successful in keeping the users on the page and helping them find what they want. It is a basic page with just an image of a dog with a URL that will take the audience to the site’s homepage and another link that will take the users to a page where they can learn more about dogs.
Amazon has cleverly used images of cute puppies to reduce the inconvenience caused to visitors. All these puppies belong to the employees of Amazon, and they come with an adorable descriptions. These really cute puppies are successfully making up for the frustration caused.
6. Huffington Post
Puppies can bring a smile to everyone, even if you are stuck in an annoying and disappointing situation. Huffington Post’s 404 page is pretty simple, like the Amazon, and features cute puppies that can wipe away the frown on the face of the displeased audience. Each time you refresh the 44 error page, you are welcomed with a new pup that will instantly cheer you up.
7. Pixar
One of the cute 404 pages you will ever encounter is designed by the creative giant Pixar. They have used one of the cutest characters in animated movies, “Sadness” from Inside Out, to create an adorable 404 design. With the whimsical use of the character “Sadness,” they have successfully brought their brand image and made a potentially negative experience into a satisfactory one; a way to keep the visitors know that it’s okay to see a broken page.
8. iFolderLinks
iFolderLinks is a 404 page that uses humor to turn a frustrating error page into an opportunity. The page is like having an image of a crying baby to make it more funny. The page mentions that it is a 404 page and lists the various reasons to why the site might have gone wrong. Additionally, they also give different ways to solve the problem. The page also gives the option to report problems on your site. They provide a contact form and an email address through which the users can report broken links.
9. HootSuite
The page uses the image of a milk carton with an image of a missing brand mascot. It’s one of the laughable 404 pages we’ve seen so far. The 404 page provides list of the various reasons why you might have landed on the error page and provides a link to the site’s homepage.
10. WAZA
The WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) has created one of the funniest 404 pages, featuring a group of lost pink flamingos. To enhance the humor, they’ve added dialogues that make it evident that they are lost. In addition, the page will urge the users to help the flamingos find their way back to the website of WAZA.
11. Steve Lambert
The 404 page is a great example of creating what users will love to see on an error page! Created by the New York-based artist Steve Lambert titled “The Most Awkward 404 Not Found Page on the Internet” is awkward yet hilarious. You will be surprised to see him telling the audience that there is nothing on the page they have landed on. He further says that you can stay or leave the page, click on the link, or do whatever you want nonchalantly.
12. MailChimp
The designers gave a flair of humor to the page by featuring a donkey with its head inside a hole. The image shows the donkey trying to help the users search for the lost page they wanted to visit.
13. BluePath
The strategy consulting firm in Atlanta uses humor to make its 404 page appealing to visitors. The page uses the map of Atlanta to convey that you are way off the map with the message “This is you,” pointing to a dot outside the map, showcasing that you have lost your way.
14. Tinsanity
One of the most hilarious and overdramatic 404 pages you will ever come across will be the error page of Tinsanity. Apart from the rest, the page features a cup with bloodshot eyes running and screaming across the screen. The page says that encountering a 404 page once in a while is not a big deal. But what makes the page melodramatic is the music playing in the background.
15. The Australian
The 404 error page of The Australian has made its place in one of the humorous error pages by making their error page a bit political. Each time you land on the page, you will find unique and funny quotes that sound exactly like the quote of a politician.
16. IMDb
IMDb is one of the largest sources for movies, TV shows, and celebrities. You can imagine how their 404 page might look. The 404 error page pulls several quotes from popular movies, which were altered to fit the context . If you want to find a quote that you might recognize, you can simply refresh the page, and you’ll see a new quote along with a strategic link to get more information about the film. It’s a great 404 error page where the brand retains familiarity without disorienting users, reassuring them that they will still get the same experience from the brand.
17. Lego
Lego’s 404 page, as you know, is full of fun. The error page is 100% on a brand theme. Visitors might not always get the typical 404 message indicating they are on the wrong page, but here, the illustrator added efficient and attractive Lego pieces on the site page to show that there’s an issue with the site. A website dedicated to its loyal customers never disappoints them. Visitors won’t feel lost, as the call to action directs them to shop for Lego.
18. 9gag – Interactive 404 Page
While it is known for funny videos, images, and GIFs, the 404 error page is also entertaining for visitors. The site uses a totally on-brand GIF for its error page and provides a call-to-action button that directs users to install their app. The full-page display of the popular Pulp Fiction Travolta GIF in the background is sarcastic. It’s simple but staying on-brand ensures that people are on the right site, despite not finding the page they are looking for.
19. Slack – Animated 404 Page
While Slack has taken the time to animate an entire website background for their 404 error page. This approach engages the user and might encourage them to stay on the landing page a little longer. If you move your mouse along the animated 404 page scrolls to show a forest full of flying butterflies, flowers, pigs, and chickens a way to explore the animation. The call-to-action leads users to the Help Center, although not to get back to the homepage.
20. GitHub
If you’re a big Star Wars fan, you might remember the line, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for,” referencing Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi mind trick on Stormtroopers. The phrase has become so well-known that people use it to indicate someone is pursuing the wrong course of action. Now, this site plays on this famous line in their 404 error page. This is a unique 404 page that offers a true fan moment for people who love Jedi, and that everything is still awesome even if you encounter a broken link.
21. Blizzard
There’s a surprise for all the World of Warcraft fans to appreciate in this site. The 404 error page showcases one of their most well-known characters, a Murloc, to help you escape from their 404 page. If you’re a WoW geek, Blizzard Entertainment shows you that when landing on the 404 error page, you get lost in an actual storm with the humor of “Mmmrrgmgrrrgmmllll,” where the Murloc is going to rescue you.
In brief
Encountering an error page is genuinely frustrating for both the users and the site owners, even if it has proper web hosting. Even though you feel disappointed when you land on an error page. 404 pages change or break over time, the generic 404 page you come across often will leave your website users clueless, resulting in them leaving your site and going after your competitors. Therefore, it is essential to design awesome 404 pages that will pique the attention of the audience and encourage them to explore your website further if you want to stop your visitors from leaving your site.
Today, most smart businesses have identified the potential of custom 404 pages and are using various visual and interactive elements to make their 404 pages attractive. So, if you wish to have some fun and become experimental with your 404 page, you can look into the error pages mentioned above for inspiration and create your own 404 fun. These fantastic 404 pages will help you understand how to make your page functional, user-friendly, creative, funny, and appealing to provide a positive user experience.
FAQ
What is the best practice 404 page?
A well-designed 404 page should feature a direct message for visitors, clearly communicating that an error has occurred. Additionally, it should include a helpful navigational link to the homepage or provide other relevant information, guiding users on what steps to take next.
