Error pages that help instead of frustrate

Why error pages matter

Error pages are inevitable. Links break, URLs change, and people make typos. How you handle errors affects user experience and trust.

A good error page helps users find what they need. A bad error page frustrates them and makes your site feel broken.

Common error pages

404 Not Found

The most common error page. Appears when a page does not exist or has moved.

500 Server Error

Appears when something goes wrong on the server. Less common but important to handle gracefully.

403 Forbidden

Appears when access is denied. Less common for public websites.

What makes error pages helpful

Clear explanation

Explain what happened in plain language.

• Tell users the page was not found or there was an error.
• Use friendly, helpful language.
• Avoid technical jargon.

Helpful navigation

Give users ways to find what they need.

• Link to your homepage.
• Link to key sections or popular pages.
• Provide a search function if you have one.
• Link to your sitemap if available.

Accessibility

Make error pages accessible [1]Source 1 .

• Use proper heading structure.
• Ensure links are keyboard accessible.
• Use clear, descriptive link text.
• Test with screen readers [2]Source 2 .

Designing a 404 page

Keep it simple

Focus on helping users, not showing off design skills.

• Clear message explaining the page was not found.
• Helpful links to popular pages or sections.
• Search functionality if available.
• Link back to homepage.

Suggest alternatives

Help users find what they might have been looking for.

• List popular or related pages.
• Suggest common pages people visit.
• Provide categories or sections to browse.

Use your brand

Make the error page feel like part of your site.

• Use your site's design and branding.
• Keep navigation consistent.
• Maintain the same look and feel.

What to avoid

• Generic error messages that do not help.
• Technical error codes without explanation.
• Dead ends with no way to navigate away.
• Jokes or clever messages that do not help users.
• Pages that do not match your site's design.
• Missing navigation or links.

Monitoring errors

Track 404 errors

Monitor which pages are generating 404 errors.

• Use Google Search Console to see 404 errors.
• Check server logs for common 404 patterns.
• Identify broken links that need fixing.

Fix common errors

Fix errors that happen frequently.

• Set up redirects for moved pages.
• Fix broken internal links.
• Update external links if possible.

Server errors

500 errors

Server errors need different handling.

• Explain that something went wrong.
• Suggest trying again later.
• Provide contact information for urgent issues.
• Log errors for developers to fix.

Testing error pages

Test your error pages to ensure they work well.

• Test with keyboard navigation [1]Source 1 .
• Test with screen readers [2]Source 2 .
• Verify all links work.
• Check that the page loads quickly.
• Test on different devices and browsers.

Examples of good error pages

Good error pages typically include:

• Clear explanation of what happened.
• Helpful navigation options.
• Links to popular or related content.
• Search functionality if available.
• Consistent branding and design.

Next step

Review your current error pages. Ensure they explain what happened clearly. Add helpful navigation and links to popular pages. Make them accessible [1]Source 1 . Test them with keyboard navigation and screen readers [2]Source 2 . Monitor 404 errors and fix broken links. Good error pages turn frustration into helpful guidance. If you need help improving your error pages or fixing broken links, website build services can help you create helpful error pages. For help with content migration and redirects, see content migration without breaking everything.