Running a successful website means staying alert for errors like broken pages or slow performance. However, sometimes there are problems that you just can\u2019t avoid, and 404 errors are one of them.<\/p>\n
A 404 occurs when a user requests a page on your website that doesn\u2019t exist, thus throwing a 404 error page prompting users to return to the right place. No matter how many resources you put into ensuring your website never goes down … there’s always a chance that users could end up here.<\/p>\n
It’s inconvenient, but a fact of life. And the reaction of visitors when they land on a nonexistent page can range from “taking it in stride” to “totally losing their minds.”<\/p>\n
While there’s nothing you can do about the latter, you can<\/em> make things a little less of a pain by having a creative error 404 message. This can do wonders to make your website visitors crack a smile in an otherwise frustrating situation.<\/p>\n To get your website design<\/a> juices flowing, this post will showcase some of our favorite website error pages. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take away a few ideas to snazz up your own 404 message.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A 404 error is a standard HTTP error message code that means the website you were trying to reach couldn’t be found on the server. It’s a client-side error, meaning either the webpage was removed or moved and <\/a>the URL wasn’t changed accordingly<\/a>, or the person just typed in the URL incorrectly.<\/p>\n For the most part, you can configure your server to create a customized 404 error page. (If you’re a HubSpot customer, click here to learn how to customize your 404 page in HubSpot<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Some customized 404 error pages include a hero image, witty description, site map, search form, or basic contact information.<\/p>\n Over the years, websites have found different ways to inform visitors of a 404 error and channel them back to the right place, some simply, some creatively, and some hilariously. Let\u2019s start by looking at some creative 404 pages, then check out some funny examples that are sure to delight anyone who comes across them.<\/p>\n While a 404 page can easily stick out from a website, Pipcorn\u2019s error page aligns perfectly with the rest of the site\u2019s branding. There\u2019s a nice animated background, a friendly text prompt directing visitors to search the website (complete with a clever pun), and a piece of popcorn used as the \u201c0\u201d in \u201c404.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Music streaming giant Spotify has covered its bases with a clever 404 page. With a witty pun off Kanye West\u2019s album \u201c808s and Heartbreak\u201d and a record animation, the website briefly entertains and then sends visitors back to the page they came from.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n One simple way to ease the tension on your 404 page is to add a quick \u201cOops!\u201d message \u2014 it helps your site feel more personable as you guide users back to the right place. In the case of Genially\u2019s site, the page also includes a nifty illustration paired with some playful copy.<\/p>\n As you would expect, Adobe\u2019s 404 error page is both useful and visually pleasing. It lists out popular links that visitors might want alongside some cool digital artwork serving as a visual metaphor for a broken or lost page. Honestly, websites should use visual metaphors more often.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The 404 page for Clorox cleaning products rotates between three lighthearted photos to signal to visitors that they\u2019ve made a misstep. It\u2019s a smart use of branding to add a brief delight moment while helping out lost users.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Other times, you might not need a witty blurb \u2014 just tell visitors that there\u2019s no page at the address and let them move on. Entertainment consulting agency Duma Collective does just this with its error page, though it\u2019s complemented by a background image for some minor flair.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Speaking of flair, self-care brand Chillhouse has put in the extra work to reroute its visitors in style. The 404 page is branded appropriately and even takes visitors on a little journey through a few image stills before they go back to the homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If you enter an incorrect Bitly link, you\u2019ll be taken to Bitly\u2019s 404 page. We assume this happens a fair amount, which is why the 404 page gets straight to the point. It explains what might have gone wrong and prompts users to visit the Bitly homepage if that\u2019s what they\u2019re after.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ikea\u2019s 404 page is similarly minimalist but still manages to sneak some smart branding in there. This example shows that your error pages don\u2019t need to be elaborate to get the point across, but there\u2019s nothing wrong with injecting some fun either.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sure, \u201cblew up the Internet\u201d might be a bit hyperbolic, but it tells visitors that Moxie Design Co. doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously with small slip-ups like this one. Also, a search bar is conveniently placed at the bottom to send you on your way.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ah, the classic \u201cwe lost the page\u201d trick. Again, an easy way to present a 404 without alienating your audience. If you\u2019re an agency like McKissack & McKissack that manages many client interactions, clear and concise copy is essential for all of your site\u2019s pages, including error pages.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ever ripped away a website’s wrapping to see what’s underneath? That’s the concept that CSS Tricks was going for in their 404 error page. This is both witty and reminiscent of what the website is all about: smart use of page styling.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n For other websites, you unwrap the front end and there’s \u2026 just the vast emptiness of space. This page is a clever reference to GOG Galaxy, which is Good Old Games\u2019 native video game client. Thankfully, a little video game character is there to give visitors a place to report an error if they want.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n For something a little different, check out Canva\u2019s 404 page. It includes not just an error message, but a nifty tile puzzle visitors can play for some brief entertainment. There\u2019s no harm in letting your visitors slack off for a couple of minutes, right?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Similar to Canva\u2019s approach, Innotech features a Pong-esque game on its 404 page to provide some brief entertainment. Chances are you\u2019ll remember a website like this. Plus, the fun detour complements a truly impressive website \u2014 seriously, when you\u2019re done playing, head to the home page and take it all in.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Video agency Myriad has opted for a quirky, on-brand 404 page design that mimics the classic SMPTE color bars that appear on old tapes and TVs. It\u2019s a funny throwback to older technologies while representing the more modern problem of a nonexistent web page.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Known for her popular cleaning and organization methods and brand, Marie Kondo has brought a similar feel to her website\u2019s 404 page. The copy briefly and humorously harkens back to her tidying philosophy \u2014 a small but well-branded detail that fans will recognize.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Not only is the illustration on this error page detailed and engaging \u2014 the copy is clever, too. We love the reference to the Semisonic song \u201cClosing Time\u201d: \u201cYou can click anywhere else, but you can’t click here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Hot Dot’s error page stays true to its tagline, \u201cthe intersection of new technologies and design.\u201d The page is animated by hundreds of tiny dots that change direction in response to where you move your cursor. It’s mesmerizing and a great showcase of the agency\u2019s design capabilities.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If you’re going to give an error message, why not entertain the user for a few seconds while you help them out? Following a friendly greeting, OrangeCoat offers a flowchart that actually helps users figure out why they reached an error page in the first place.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This 404 page does more than redirect users back to active pages. Instead, Ervin & Smith\u2019s 404 page invites you to scroll down and learn why you need a digital marketing agency, and why to choose Ervin & Smith in particular, capped off with a contact form. True to its mission, this agency shows that any page can be a conversion opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2026 or, your 404 can just be a place to waste time for a minute, as can be seen on the website for DayCloud Studios. Moving the cursor around the screen reveals a 404 message illuminated by lasers shooting from a cat\u2019s eyes. Because why not?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Another instance of a website smartly incorporating its brand messaging into a 404 page \u2014 guided meditation app Headspace makes the effort to calm users, encouraging us to take a deep breath, then return to the main site.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Some websites thus far have integrated clever branded copy in their pages, while others have hosted full-blown online games on theirs. But, there\u2019s nothing wrong with a brief push back in the right direction. Wildwood Bakery\u2019s exquisite site keeps things short and sweet (literally).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Design agency Astuteo\u2019s 404 page is a perfect balance of elegant visuals, humor, and helpfulness. The minimal layout gives users the information they need alongside another amusing visual metaphor, a sinking cargo ship and a fleeing figure.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n There\u2019s few words needed on LEGO’s 404 error page \u2014 the character\u2019s expression makes everything clear. Plus, fans of the LEGO movie franchise will enjoy the fun reference in the copy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In this funny error message, Magnt pokes fun at the fact that, yes, they could have broken something \u2014 or, you just can’t type. The visual serves as a quick way to quickly illustrate their point.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n IconFinder’s error page is simple but delightful. The company\u2019s mascot wearing a robe and appearing weary is a relatable nod to lost visitors. No worries though, since the site lists some of its links to visit down below.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Apparently, the team at sleep aid company Sweet Dreams took too many of its products according to the website\u2019s 404 page. Not only is this page humorous \u2014 it also blends well with the rest of the site\u2019s front-end aesthetic and messaging for a cohesive feel.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The line “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for” refers to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi mind trick on Stormtroopers in Star Wars Episode IV<\/em>, and it’s become a well-known phrase used to tell someone they’re pursuing the wrong course of action. GitHub plays on this famous line in their 404 error message.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Patagonia\u2019s custom 404 page captures the brand\u2019s vibe perfectly, complete with a boomerang video of a frisbee twirler, a clever pun combining \u201c404\u201d and \u201caloha,\u201d and links to its product pages. It\u2019s a friendly and funny way to greet visitors who wound up in the wrong place.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Check it out: Cloud Sigma’s letting us in on some behind-the-scenes action. Their 404 error page pretends to be a “junior developer’s homepage” \u2014 that junior developer being, well, a cat.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n You might have been to an AMC movie theater before, but you\u2019ve hopefully never seen their website\u2019s 404 page. The website makes use of a quick, funny, and relevant one-liner before it sends you back to the right place.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It\u2019s no coincidence that creative agencies are great at coming up with cool 404 pages. Here\u2019s another one from the creatives at Bruno that plays off the 2000 cult comedy classic Dude, Where\u2019s My Car?<\/em> No, it has nothing to do with the company or website, but it\u2019s sure to get a chuckle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n At first, NPR’s error page seems like nothing special. But keep reading and you’ll see how they cleverly link to some of their great stories about lost people, places, and things, like a piece on Amelia Earhart and one on Waldo. This might just make lost users feel a little less alone.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Medium takes a similar approach to NPR\u2019s 404 page, recommending articles about getting lost and losing things. Check these articles out if you have time \u2014 they\u2019re quite good reads.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n HomeStarRunner.com, home to a Flash-animated cartoon series, has had a series of hilarious 404 error pages over the years. The most recent features characters from the cartoon series in a scene that could’ve come straight out of one of their episodes. If you turn the sound on when you load the page, you’ll hear their character Strong Bad \u2014 known for yelling phrases out loud \u2014 saying, “404’d!”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Here’s a simple idea that ends up looking slick: Blizzard Entertainment’s 404 page features an animated character lost in an actual blizzard and some humor that World of Warcraft fans will appreciate.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n A quick trip around marketing and social media experts Hello Big Idea\u2019s website will tell you what you need to know about its bold and blunt style of copy. And, of course, its 404 error page is no exception.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It happens to us, too! This is the message we put up to tell our site visitors that there are some website issues. Our goal was to stay true to <\/a>HubSpot’s brand voice<\/a> by being as lovable, empathetic, and helpful as possible.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Nobody wants to land on a 404 page \u2014 they\u2019re annoying and unexpected. However, you can\u2019t really avoid them, so it\u2019s always a good idea to have a 404 page to fall back on for your website.<\/p>\n And, from a user experience perspective, your 404 page should be a small speed bump, not a brick wall. The right design can be the difference between a frustrated bounce and a possible conversion, so why not make it fun?<\/p>\nWhat is a 404 Error?<\/h2>\n
The Best 404 Web Page Examples<\/h2>\n
Page Not Found:\u00a0Creative 404 Error Pages<\/h3>\n
1. Pipcorn<\/a><\/h4>\n
2. Spotify<\/a><\/h4>\n
3. Genially<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/h4>\n
4. Adobe<\/a><\/h4>\n
5. Clorox<\/a><\/h4>\n
6. Duma Collective<\/a><\/h4>\n
7. Chillhouse<\/a><\/h4>\n
8. Bitly<\/a><\/h4>\n
9. Ikea<\/a><\/h4>\n
10. Moxie Design Co.<\/a><\/h4>\n
11. McKissack & McKissack<\/a><\/h4>\n
12. CSS Tricks<\/a><\/h4>\n
13. Good Old Games<\/a><\/h4>\n
14. Canva<\/a><\/h4>\n
15. Innotech<\/a><\/h4>\n
16. Myriad<\/a><\/h4>\n
17. KonMari<\/a><\/h4>\n
18. BrandCrowd<\/a><\/h4>\n
19. Hot Dot Productions<\/a><\/h4>\n
20. OrangeCoat<\/a><\/h4>\n
21. Ervin & Smith<\/a><\/h4>\n
22. DayCloud Studios<\/a><\/h4>\n
23. Headspace<\/a><\/h4>\n
24. Wildwood Bakery<\/a><\/h4>\n
Page Not Found:\u00a0Funny 404 Error Pages<\/h3>\n
25. Astuteo<\/a><\/h4>\n
26. LEGO<\/a><\/h4>\n
27. Magnt<\/a><\/h4>\n
28. IconFinder<\/a><\/h4>\n
29. Sweet Dreams<\/a><\/h4>\n
30. GitHub<\/a><\/h4>\n
31. Patagonia<\/a><\/h4>\n
32. Cloud Sigma<\/a><\/h4>\n
33. AMC Theatres<\/a><\/h4>\n
34. Bruno<\/a><\/h4>\n
35. NPR<\/a><\/h4>\n
36. Medium<\/a><\/h4>\n
37. HomeStarRunner<\/a><\/h4>\n
38. Blizzard Entertainment<\/a><\/h4>\n
39. Hello Big Idea<\/a><\/h4>\n
40. HubSpot<\/a><\/h4>\n
Turn a 404 Error Page Into a Delight Moment<\/h2>\n