Did you find a ‘404 web page error’ while accessing your website? Does it look like “Page Not Found -404 Error’? Hmm...same happened with me few months back while I was trying to retrieve information from my own website. The most indistinct part of the entire issue was I found my webpage URL’s (profitimo.com) in the search engine result pages, links backs on other websites, blogs, articles and other probable areas on the webworld.

I was really helpless and had no ideas. How did this happen? Why are the webpages victimized under 404 error? What is 404 error? My website is new and at that time it was just 6 months old. I found it appalling since I was managing some customers and had good amount of traffic for my website by that time! The main concern for me was fear of losing my customers and invariably the sales leads due to 404 error webpage. Everyone associated with web world knows how much time, money, energy, and effort takes to maintain and compete with the fierce competition all around. It’s very obvious that my business will definitely not relax and flourish in the “Bed of roses”. So, I should look up to meet the challenges that come in its way and not let myself and my business down at any situation.

What is Custom 404 Error Page? Are 404 Errors Advantageous?

Initially, I was caught with some kind of infectious fright due to the unusual behavior of my website but later on, found out that it is just a ‘pimple issue’. Well Wikipedia.org defined 404 Error Page as …an HTTP standard response code indicating that the client was able to communicate with the server but either the server could not find what was requested, or it was configured not to fulfill the request and not reveal the reason why. 404 errors should not be confused with "server not found" or similar errors, in which a connection to the destination server cannot be made at all” i.e., non-technically we can say ‘404 Error’ occurs when your server is unable to find the webpage may be for the reason it’s been deleted, renamed or moved.

Yes, 404 Error Page can prove advantageous to your websites, or business.So, with a business mind, I too thought that something must be done to make the 404 error as an effective marketing issue. Accordingly, I did a bit of research online and found some inciting facts that are enough to tickle your ‘great mind’. You can turn your potential customers to real ones by reforming and redirecting your 404 error page on your website as a ‘marketing message’. Yes, this is true. Just read below how:-

1. Be witty with the design of 404 Error Webpage: Design your 404 Error page in such a way that it resembles your original website’s webpages or rather homepage. Be very smart and tactful informing your online visitors this page (404 Error Page) is the wrong page and the page they are intending to find cannot be found. Next Point….

2. Consolidate your Webpages look: It is very important to unite and consolidate the website’s look. Navigation, content and looks are key ingredients of a website to incite and attract online visitors. Try and create belief within the minds of customers so that they consider your website as a right place for them.

3. Provide useful information to your customers: Don’t deceive or confuse your online visitors with unrelated issues. Provide useful links on the 404 error page. Invite your online visitors to click around and your site navigation will guide them where they can go (who have landed on 404 error webpage of your website). Provide your customers with some useful information, links and resources which they might intend to find. Direct them to your online newsletter source. Add them into your sales leads. It’s all about building a business relationship with your potential customers Just Imagine now…It works like Magic..Isn’t it?

4. Make the 404 error as an effective communication tool: As I have mentioned earlier in this article, find new customers by turning the 404 error webpage into a marketing message. Use ‘cheesy fun words’ in your marketing message. Make it realistic and do not use call of action like ‘order now’, ‘buy now’, and ‘limited offer till the stocks lasts’ etc. This sounds to the potential customers more skeptical and unrealistic. Be simple and intelligent with marketing message to encourage them to buy your products.

Market your 404 Error Page. Yeah I know it sounds funny but as long as you don’t do it, you will not realize its impact. Entertain your 404 error webpage with lots and lots of information and fun stuffs. Socialize and publicize your 404 Error webpage with some great user-driven communities’ social networking sites, articles and blogs. Make it happen and don’t wait.

“Put all your best efforts to recover your lost investments and that to in a profitable manner” says one of the greatest business magnates. Mr. Laxmi Mittal. Recommend and propose your products and services with some profitable business ideas on your 404 error page. That’s the deal!