The web is an ever-changing place, and sometimes things go missing or get moved around.
Most people have undoubtedly come across a 404 error page – this is what you see when there has been an error in reaching a particular URL. This mostly happens when you type in a web address directly into the search bar and either make a typo, or just make up an address that doesn’t exist. Sometimes, pages move and old hyperlinks that haven’t been updated will also lead you to dead-end 404 pages.
It happens, and some websites create custom 404 pages for when it does. I’ve come across three main types of 404 error pages: fun and frivolous, experimental, and informative. The best kinds, of course, are a combination of all of that. Here’re some favourites below:
Of course, it's better to ensure your hyperlinks and URLs are all in order, to avoid hitting an awkward 404 altogether. But as these examples demonstrate, there are ways to keep a smile on the user's face even when something goes wrong.
There's another really clever use of the 404 error. Since one only comes across it when a page is missing, one organisation uses them to remind users that children go missing too. Notfound.org partners with websites that agree to display photos of missing children on their 404 error pages, both as a reminder of this cause, and with the hope that somebody might even recognise one of the faces.
