How do I set up a custom ‘page not found’ (404)?

What is a 404?

404 is the code for ‘page not found’. Without a custom page, your website shows a short standard text: ‘404: Page not found’, with links to the homepage and the previous page. That works, but it doesn’t match your branding and offers little help to the visitor.

Step 1: Create a regular page

Go to Pages and create a new page, for example, ‘Page not found’. Build it up with sections and blocks like any other page. See adding a new page. Publish the page, but do not add it to your menu.

What to include?

• A short, friendly headline and one sentence of explanation: this page does not (any longer) exist.
• A search field: place [lef_search] in a Text block. See a search function on your website.
• Buttons to your homepage and your main pages.
• Your contact details, for those who need assistance.

Step 2: Choose the page for setting the 404 page

Go to General options, tab Logo & Basics. Find your new page under Set 404 page and click on it, so it appears on the right in the list. Click on Update.

Your website will then take care of a few things: the page is set to ‘do not index’ for Google, it is not included in the sitemap, and in the overview of your pages, ‘Custom 404 page’ appears behind the name.

Step 3: Testing

Type your domain name in your browser with an address that does not exist, for example, /does-not-exist/. You should now see your own page. Also check the search field and the buttons.

Keep 404s low: redirects

A good 404 page catches visitors, but it’s better if they don’t end up there. If you change the URL of a page or remove a page, redirect the old address to a new page. Read setting up a redirect when a URL changes and changing the URL of your page.

Not working?

• You still see the standard text. The page has not been selected under Set 404 page, or it has not been published.
• The search field is missing. Check the shortcode [lef_search] in the Text block.
• The 404 page is in your menu. Remove it from the menu in Menus.
• Still having trouble? Contact us.