Finding out that you’ve typed in the wrong address can be just a little bit frustrating. You might have been certain that the URL was correct, but regardless of the cause, you’re likely to see a page with the headline ‘Error 404’ on it. These messages are pretty useful, though can look a little drab at the best of times; but can they be changed?
It might seem a little weird, but in a way, Error 404 pages can act as a kind of blank canvas for web design teams to showcase their flair. They can be made to be more informative for the visitor, taking them in the direction of the page they meant to visit, to act as a vehicle for something funny that the visitor will enjoy or for something completely different.
Fun or Serious?
As this site proves, 404 pages can be made to be fun. An increasing number of brands are choosing to make these pages much easier on the eye, making them act as a wider reflection of their business’s image. They’re also being used as important marketing tools, revealing the start of a new campaign or something else along those lines.
Alternatively, 404 pages could be used to communicate an important message. Recently, they have been used as space to inform people about a missing teenager, helping to boost the search while making more of the page at the same time. If used in the right way, a 404 page could almost be as useful as a homepage.