Tips to Improve Your 404 Page Template in WordPress

February 27. 2023

404 pages are a critical component of any website and can greatly impact the user experience. If you’re using WordPress, you have the ability to create a fantastic 404 page that not only reflects your brand but also helps visitors find what they’re looking for. Unfortunately, many website owners tend to settle for the default 404 page that comes with their theme. However, with a bit of creativity and effort, you can transform your 404 page into a valuable asset for your website. To help you do this, we’ve consulted WordPress pros and in this article, you’ll find out how to improve your 404 page template in WordPress.

Tips to Improve Your 404 Page Template

Most WordPress themes come with a 404 page template and more often than not, they’re pretty basic and have no link to your website’s content. Because of this, visitors usually decided to leave your website thus increasing its bounce rate. And because this could also negatively impact your SEO it’s always a good idea to design a 404 with your own branding and content. So primarily it’s crucial to track and redirect 404 pages in WordPress.

With that said, let’s take a look at how you can improve your 404 page template in WordPress. Here’s what you should focus on when designing your great custom 404 page in WordPress.

Make it Visually Appealing

Your 404 page is an opportunity to showcase your brand and leave a lasting impression on visitors. Utilize your brand’s color scheme, fonts, and images to create a 404 page that looks and feels like your website. You can also add animations, graphics, or even a custom illustration to make your 404 page stand out and be more memorable.

Keep it Simple

While it’s important to make your 404 page visually appealing, it’s equally important to keep it simple. Visitors who land on your 404 page are already lost and a cluttered, confusing page will only make matters worse. Stick to a simple, clean design that is easy to navigate, and make sure your message is clear and concise.

Additionally, limit the amount of text on the page and break it up into smaller paragraphs to make it easier to read. This way, you’ll provide a better user experience for your visitors and help them find what they’re looking for more quickly.

Provide Navigation Options

Your 404 page should provide visitors with various options to help them find what they’re looking for. A search bar, navigation menu, or links to popular pages can help visitors get back on track and find what they’re looking for. By providing navigation options, you’ll make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for and reduce the likelihood that they’ll leave your website. Additionally, consider including a sitemap or a list of your most popular pages to help visitors quickly find what they’re looking for.

Use Humor

Adding a touch of humor to your 404 page can help lighten the mood and put a smile on your visitors’ faces. Use puns, jokes, or funny images to make your 404 page fun and memorable. Just be careful not to overdo it – your 404 page should still provide a helpful and informative experience. By using humor, you’ll make your 404 page more memorable, which will increase the likelihood that visitors will return to your website.

Personalize the Message

Instead of simply displaying a generic “404 error” message, personalize the message on your 404 page to make it more relevant and specific to your website. For example, you can use the title of the missing page or add a message that’s specific to the type of content that was not found. By personalizing the message, you’ll help your visitors understand why they landed on the 404 page. Additionally, you can use personalization to provide helpful suggestions or alternative options to help visitors find what they’re looking for.

Add a Call to Action

Your 404 page is an opportunity to engage with your visitors and provide them with a positive experience, even if they can’t find what they’re looking for. Consider adding a call to action, such as signing up for your newsletter, following you on social media, or contacting you for help. By adding a call to action, you’ll provide a better user experience for your visitors and help them feel more connected to your brand. Additionally, you can use the call to action to gather valuable information about your visitors, such as their email addresses or social media handles.

How to Improve and Customize Your 404 Page Template in WordPress?

As we already mentioned, WordPress themes usually come with 404 page template. However, being they’re usually too basic and generic, it’s always a better option to customize it and make it more appealing and informative to your visitors. But how can you customize and improve your 404 page template in WordPress? The easiest way to do this without having the need to use code is to install the SeedProd page builder plugin.

To get started, first install the SeedProd plugin. Keep in mind that, in order to replace your theme’s built-in 404 template, then you’ll need the Pro version. After entering your license key, head to SeedProd » Landing Pages then go to the 404 Page section, and click on “Set up a 404 Page.”

Next, choose a professionally designed template from the selection of ready-made 404 templates. When you find a design you like, click on “Choose This Template.” In the drag-and-drop builder, you can start customizing your 404 page by adding, deleting, and customizing blocks. You can add your own logo, change the text, and even add a custom navigation menu to match your website’s design.

One important aspect of the 404 page is to give your visitors the next step. You can promote your most popular posts or add a contact form for reporting broken links or missing content. Change the “Back To Home” button to a call-to-action that links to a particular post on your site, and customize the button text, color, and size to match your design. Plus, there’s so much more SeedProd allows you to do.

The Bottom Line

A 404 page is an important component of any website, and it’s essential to make sure that it provides a positive user experience for visitors. By following these tips, you can improve your 404 page template in WordPress and provide a better user experience for your visitors. Of course, you don’t have to do this on your own if you don’t feel comfortable enough. Instead, you can always reach out to experts in WordPress and let them handle this (or anything else WordPress related) in an expert way.