This is awkward
Oops, this page could not be found!
WordPress themes: 404 Page Pro FFP-PRO-06
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A complete guide to customising a WordPress 404 page template made by MaxiBlocks
Creating an appealing and functional 404 page can significantly impact how users feel when they encounter an error on your website. MaxiBlocks offers a beautiful WordPress 404 page design template that blends visual creativity with functionality to ensure users remain engaged. In this guide, we’ll take you through the different parts of the template and offer some tips for customising each section to make it uniquely yours.
But before diving into the design, let’s quickly touch on what a 404 page is and why it’s so important.
What is a 404 page and why is it important?
A 404 page is what your website displays when a visitor tries to reach a page that does not exist—typically due to a broken link or an incorrect URL. Instead of letting users reach a dead-end, a good 404 page keeps them engaged, provides direction, and encourages them to explore other parts of your website.
By using full site editing in WordPress, you can fully customise the MaxiBlocks 404 page to suit your website’s branding and keep your visitors from leaving when they stumble onto an error. Learn more about full site editing to make the most of these features.
Section-by-section breakdown of the 404 page template
The MaxiBlocks 404 page design template is made up of several key components, each crafted to provide a balance between informative content and visual appeal. Let’s go through each section in detail.
Headline Section
The main headline of the template reads “This is awkward,” which is displayed in large, bold lettering that grabs attention right away. This sets a light-hearted tone, helping to ease any frustration the user may feel upon reaching an error page. The subheadline, “Oops, this page could not be found!” is smaller and conveys the error message in a simple, straightforward manner.
The supporting text beneath the subheading reads, “The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.” This gives context, helping your visitors understand why they ended up here.
Customisation Ideas:
- Change the headline to suit your brand voice, for example, “Oops! Looks like you’ve hit a dead end.”
- Add a touch of humour—consider including puns or jokes related to your website’s niche.
- Use your own brand fonts to keep consistent styling throughout your website.
- Adjust the size and positioning of the text to make the page unique.
- Include an animated number counter to display “404” in a visually engaging way.
- Highlight certain words by changing the colour—for instance, make “awkward” pop with a bold accent colour.
- Add a background pattern behind the headline using block pattern text to make the page more visually interesting.
- Include an icon next to the headline—consider using one from the WordPress icon library.
- Change the headline text to include a call to action like, “Let’s get you back on track!”
- Include WooCommerce product links as part of the message for product-focused websites.
Search Section
Below the headline, there’s a search prompt that reads “What are you looking for?” followed by a search box. This is a critical part of the page because it provides users with a way to find what they need, making sure they don’t leave your site feeling frustrated.
Customisation Ideas:
- Change the search prompt to something more casual, like “Need help finding something?”
- Add a call to action example, like “Search our site for more content patterns.”
- Style the search box to match your brand’s colours.
- Use an animated effect to draw attention to the search bar.
- Include a placeholder text inside the search box with a friendly suggestion like “Type in what you’re after.”
- Replace the search icon with a different icon—explore WordPress icons for variety.
- Add a small button beside the search box for an email subscribe prompt.
- Consider adding a dropdown with popular search terms.
- Adjust the shape of the search box—make it round or give it an edgy look.
- Change the search prompt to be interactive, such as an accordion, where clicking expands the search box for more options.
Visual Design Section
The right side of the page features a striking image of a person standing on train tracks. This person is illuminated with a glowing swirl of light, adding an artistic, modern touch to the design. The image is partially cropped using a semi-circular design element that makes it appear integrated with the rest of the layout.
Customisation Ideas:
- Replace the image with a visual more relevant to your brand. For example, for a photography website, you could show a camera-focused scene.
- Use images of your product or service to keep the page on-brand.
- Incorporate a video background instead of a static image for a more dynamic experience.
- Consider using a different shape for the cropping effect, such as a square or triangle.
- Add subtle animation to the light effect in the image to make it more engaging.
- Change the positioning of the image to create an asymmetrical balance.
- Adjust the image transparency to blend more into the background.
- Replace the train tracks with a related scene, like a cityscape for a travel website.
- Add a text overlay on the image, such as a motivational quote or something humorous.
- Make the image part of a slider with different visuals—consider using slider logo patterns.
Different types of websites that can use a WordPress 404 page
MaxiBlocks’ 404 page template is versatile and can be used across many types of websites. Here are a few examples:
- Health websites: Customise the page to link back to informative health articles or the main homepage.
- Diet homepage template: Add tips or useful links to articles on health and diet.
- Agency websites: Feature a list of services, like business homepage templates or portfolio highlights.
- Photography websites: Showcase galleries of popular photos to redirect the user back to the site.
- Consulting websites: Could use the opportunity to guide users towards their main services by linking back to the consulting homepage template.
- Law firm websites: Give an option to contact your office directly with a simple WordPress contact form.
- Food and restaurant websites: Highlight featured dishes, recipe pages, or restaurant homepage templates.
To explore other types of homepage templates and see how you can incorporate a customised 404 page design, check out these links: health homepage template or photography homepage template.
How to use a 404 page in full site editing
With WordPress Full Site Editing, you can easily customise your 404 page. Simply access your site editor, navigate to the 404 page, and start editing sections. MaxiBlocks’ easy drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to update images, text, and other blocks without coding experience. Learn more by exploring this WordPress block theme tutorial.
Final thoughts
Customising your 404 page is a great way to reduce bounce rates and ensure your website continues to guide users, even when things go wrong. By making this page visually engaging and functional, you’re making the most out of a potentially negative experience.
Whether you’re running a WordPress website for health services, travel, or non-profit organisations, taking the time to craft a useful and visually appealing 404 page can enhance the overall experience for your visitors. If you’re looking for more resources on creating effective WordPress websites, you can visit these links:
