On a roll!

[Jo McF]

I've just thought of another thing to ask! ;)[nbsp][nbsp] How do you customize your 404 page?[nbsp][nbsp]Same way as editing your own pages (in CNC File Manager)?[nbsp][nbsp]If not, please tell me how!

And on an aesthetic level...what do you all do with YOUR 404 page?[nbsp][nbsp]Do you have it look like your website, or do you have it different?

~Jo

[Deb]

Yes, customize the 404.html page same as you would any of your other pages, just keep the name the same ;)

I've spent quite a bit of time in the past browsing people's 404 pages.[nbsp][nbsp]There are some VERY UNIQUE ideas out there.... it can be an interesting journey ... To see the FutureQuest 404 page (Basic concept of keeping things the same) simply go to http://www.FutureQuest.net/Whatever_You_Like/

Deb
[nbsp]- 404 good buddy

ok I'll boo that tag line myself :)

[Drew]

Deb,
[nbsp][nbsp] I got the default 404.

-Drew

[Maverick]

Yes Jo, many of us do have the 404 pages customized to look like the rest of our sites. It's a lot friendlier-looking than some sort of generic error message. By using a page that looks like the rest of your site you give your visitors a way back into the site and fewer will just wander away.

It's a good idea to use the 404 as a site maintenance tool as well. On large sites, no matter how carefully we check links, a few duds are bound to slip through. So what I've done is to collect the referring URL and the requested file, stick them into a form and have it mailed to me when the 404 page is hit. That allows instant feedback and makes it easy to find and fix busted links. Other options: Include an internal search engine on the 404 page with a "Search for the information you were looking for since it seems to be AWOL" message will be helpful. One of the free hosts, I think either fortunecity or angelfire uses random humerous messages like "You've broken the internet!!" or "That page is on vacation, try another" on their 404s to keep things interesting. However you do it, do something. Almost any custom page is preferable to a generic error message. Be creative and have fun with it.[nbsp]

[Mandi]

Another sample, since we're sharing :)!

http://www.cgspouses.net/baloney.shtml

[Brian]

Mandi,

While looking at your 404 page, I noticed your links are not being called correctly. This in turn is causing an invalid url to appear. To fix this you might want to use absolute url’s on your 404 page above. Here is what the first one links to so you can see what I mean http://www.cgspouses.net/www.cgspouses.net/cgi-bin/forums/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

Besides that I like your 404 page simple clean and most important to the point!
-Brian

[This message has been edited by Brian (edited 05-17-00@8:19 pm)]

[jimbo]

Mine is very simple:

http://www.bronx-bombers.com/404goodbuddy.html

:)

[Mandi]

Thanks Brian, can't believe I never got a complaint or noticed that![nbsp][nbsp]It was a missing // at the www, sheesh :o!!