Error Pages

Errors happen. With all the web pages being loaded every second on the internet, it is no surprise that sometimes a page will not load and an error page pops up.

We all know the pages. 400, 401, 403, 404, 500. What they mean at this point really doesn’t matter. What matters is what happens to the surfer when he reaches one.

The standard error pages say that the page will not load, and gives a couple of possible reasons why and is pretty much standard. About the only thing positive on the page is that it suggests (as a last resort) going back and trying to reload again. Most surfers go from an error page to somewhere else and NOT back to the original error page.

What most webmasters do not know is that all the error pages are usually located on their own servers and do NOT have to be the standard version. You can easily use error pages to guide the surfer to another of your sites.

My 404 Page is an example of a redone error page. I try maximize the potential of an error page, I give the surfers options to stay within the network of sites I run. Here is my error page

It is a comfort to look at traffic stats and see referrers listed as 400, 401, 403, 404 or 500. Each one means another surfer who got saved from the horrible fate of clicking off of my sites.

Errors and error pages are part of the game. You should be using them totally to your benefit in my opinion.