If your website’s 404 page in wordpress is boring, people get bored of seeing that page and leave the site. This is not good for your website and can also ruin your SEO.
But imagine, what if you make this 404 page something interesting and helpful?
If you use WordPress then you can easily improve your 404 page.
In this short guide, we will tell you 2 simple ways to create your custom 404 page. Whether you don’t know coding or you want to use a full site editor, you’ll find easy solutions for both here.
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Table of Contents
Why Improve Your 404 Page Template in WordPress?
404 page is the one that appears when someone clicks on a link on your website that is not working or does not exist.
This may seem like a small thing, but 404 template is very important:
User Experience (UX): If your 404 is created well, then people do not get confused and can easily go to another page. This also does not spoil their mood.
SEO Health: If the 404 isn’t set up correctly, search engines like Google understand that your site isn’t working properly – this can bring down your rankings
Brand impact: You can make your 404 page a little creative and interesting. This helps people remember your website and increases your brand recognition.
Method 1: Create a Custom 404 Page in WordPress With No Code (Recommended)
If you don’t know coding, there’s no need to worry! You can create a custom 404 in WordPress without writing any code. Just use a page builder plugin.
Step 1: Install the Page Builder Plugin
(Page Builder means a tool that creates pages by drag-and-drop, like Elementor or Beaver Builder)
- Go to the WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Plugins > Add New.
- Search for Elementor or Beaver Builder.
- Click on Install Now, then Activate.
Step 2: Design your 404 Page
- Open Page Builder (like Elementor).
- Create a new page and select a 404 template (this is often available).
- Add these things to this page:
- Search bar so people can easily find content
- Links such as Home Page, Blog, or Services
A friendly message, such as:
- “Oops! We couldn’t find that page. But here are some helpful links.”
- Use your logo and your website colors so the page looks like your site.
Step 3: Set up a 404 page
- Go to the WordPress dashboard, click on Appearance > Customize.
- Go to Theme settings and set your created page as a 404 template
Advantages of No-Code Method:
- It is easy for beginners
- There is an option of pre-made templates and drag-and-drop
- There is no need to write code, so there is no fear of breaking anything
Method 2: Create a 404 Page Using the Full Site Editor (Block Themes Only)
If you are using a block theme in WordPress (such as Twenty Twenty-Two or Twenty Twenty-Three), you can design your 404 using the Full Site Editor (FSE).
This way your 404 page will match the design of your website exactly.
Step 1: Open Full Site Editor
- Login to the WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Appearance > Editor (Beta).
- Go to the Templates section in the Editor to find the 404 template.
- If a 404 template hasn’t already been created, create a new one by clicking on Add New Template > 404 Page.
Step 2: Design a 404 Page
You can easily design your 404 template with the help of the block editor.
Here are some things you can add:
- Search Block: allows people to easily find content with a single search.
- Query Loop Block: can show your latest blog posts.
- Navigation Block: allows people to visit other pages with menus or links.
- Creative Content: can add nice images, funny text or animation, such as:
“Lost? Don’t worry, we will show you the right way!”
Step 3: Save and Publish
- When your design is ready, click Save in the upper right corner.
- Take a look at the live preview once to make sure everything looks correct.
Benefits of Full Site Editor:
- Fully matches your theme
- You have more control over the layout (you can make the design as you want)
- No extra plugin is needed, the site remains light
When Should You Redirect 404 Pages?
It is important to improve the 404 template, but in some situations it is better to redirect users to some other page. Such as:
Deleted or Moved Content: If you have permanently deleted a page or changed its location, then you redirect the people visiting that page to a relevant live page. For this we use 301 redirect.
Typing the wrong URL: If people often type a URL wrongly, then you can redirect them to the correct page so that they do not get confused
- Thin or Duplicate Pages Removed During an SEO Audit: Redirect these pages to their parent category or a related page to retain any link equity.
Plugins like Redirection or Yoast SEO Premium make setting up redirects straightforward for WordPress users.
When to Avoid Redirection
Not every 404 should be redirected. For example, if a user lands on a URL that was never intended to exist (e.g., a typo in a backlink), letting them see your custom 404 page is the best course of action. This preserves their ability to explore the rest of your site.
Improve Your 404 Page Template Today
A well-crafted 404 page is more than just a placeholder; it’s an opportunity to enhance user experience, minimize frustration, and even boost your SEO. Whether you opt for a no-code solution with a page builder or leverage the Full Site Editor for block themes, improving your 404 page doesn’t have to be complicated. Take your site to the next level with these tips, and make sure every page even the “not found” ones leaves visitors impressed
Related Guide:
Change Footer: https://wpguidepro.com/change-footer-in-wordpress-admin/
Smart Lock Pages: https://wpguidepro.com/smart-way-lock-wordpress-pages/
Remove Sidebar: https://wpguidepro.com/remove-the-sidebar-in-wordpress/
Dark Mode Admin: https://wpguidepro.com/easily-add-dark-mode-to-your-wordpress-admin/
Block IPs: https://wpguidepro.com/block-ips-in-wordpress-safely/
