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404 Pages, also known as Error Pages or Not Found error messages, alert users that the content they were looking for could not be located on a specific server. These page can (and should) be customized. === What Problem This Solves === Standard 404 Pages are dead-ends for users. By customizing a 404 page, a website can re-engage users and greatly reduce site abandonment.<br> === When to Use This Pattern === '''Existing websites:''' Use this pattern when you are undergoing any type of content review (formal or informal). '''New websites:''' Custom 404 pages should be part of the content deliverables for site launch. '''Tip:''' To quickly find a 404 page, enter websitename.com/404 === What's The Solution? === Effective 404 Pages accomplish the following: *Communicate/reinforce a brand's voice *Redirect users to meaningful site content *Reinforce a site's primary call-to-action *Give users the ability to contact the company directly (if relevant) *Include the top navigational menu to give users a map back to familiar territory *Do not blame the user for making a mistake === Why Use This Pattern === Effective 404 pages can greatly reduce site abandonment. === References === #To come (Be wary of many of the "great 404 pages!" sites out there. Many are design-heavy with little to no usefulness. See Project Fedena example below.) === Examples Gallery === '''Emma email marketing 404 Page''' Grade: A+ [[Image:Emma 404.jpg|thumb|left|Emma 404.jpg]]<br> '''SAP 404 Page''' Grade: C [[Image:Sap 404-mediocre 404 page.jpg|thumb|left|Sap 404-mediocre 404 page.jpg]]<br> '''Project Fedena''' Grade: D (Well-designed. Not at all useful.)<br> [[Image:Project fedena 404-not useful.jpg|thumb|left|Project fedena 404-not useful.jpg]]<br> '''Bonnier Corporation 404 Page''' (Publishers of Popular Science, Spa and Saveur, among others) Grade: F<br> [[Image:Bonniercorp 404-awful 404.jpg|thumb|left|Bonniercorp 404-awful 404.jpg]] === Categories === [[Category:Editorial|Editorial Patterns]]
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