5 Clever 404 Error Pages From Real Websites
Having an error on your website is not a very big deal. Things happen and you can solve them by regularly updating your website’s database. But do you know you can use this ‘error’ issue on your website in favor of your business? Yes, you are reading it right. Let us explain how.
Imagine clicking on a website while exploring your queries on Google. You landed on a webpage but unfortunately, it gives an error that your page cannot be found. Here comes the twist. The website is using custom 404 pages for its errors. They approach with a unique error page style that you can’t stop staring at. It may be humorous, defines their branding, gives a clever message, or a mascot relating to you.
If you spent more than 5 to 10 seconds on their error page, their job is done. Because their unique style is now registered in your mind unconsciously. Next time, you come across the same website in a bunch of other websites, you are definitely clicking that particular one.
Why custom 404 pages are necessary on a website?
You might sometimes wonder why it is even necessary to develop an error page on your website. Well, the reason is you don’t want to disappoint your viewers. What most businesses do is abandon their audience by not creating an error page. The viewer’s hit a dead end. They don’t know what to do, where to proceed next, when the website will be back, etc.
While the competition is really high these days, you can win your audience’s hearts with a clear and crisp error page. Error pages let your viewers know where to navigate next and what they can do in such a case. With Error pages, you can let your audience know that you care about them.
What are the 5 great 404 pages examples?
Do you want to make things more interesting? Let’s take a look at the top 5 best 404 pages examples.
Nothing beats a quirky message that makes you laugh and relate to the situation at the same time. Cloud Sigma used humor to relate to their viewers who are tired of their work and likes to sleep at work for an energy boost.
While displaying the 404 error message, Cloud Sigma didn’t give up its branding. They set up the picture with a cat staring at a CloudSigma homepage screen. Besides their branding, they effectively conveyed how skilled their developers are.
Pixar is famous for its films but as a website developing agency, we are a fan of Pixar for their 404 error page. Just like how they make you emotional in some of their films, they did the same with their 404 error page. They took the reference from their most famous film ‘Inside Out’ and got the attention of viewers.
While most error pages don’t give a navigational menu to their viewers, Pixar managed to stand out here too with a clear menu so viewers don’t hit a dead end. They also delivered their error message that everything is good by carefully playing with the words.
Whatever you say, Mantra Lab’s unique way of telling that you cannot reach a page has won our hearts. They also included an automated way to get you to the homepage in 10 seconds just like a rocket’s countdown.
If you explore the entire website of Mantra Labs, you will constantly find yourself dwelling on astronauts and robots giving you a message that they are building something out of the world. The same message is delivered in their carefully designed and implemented error page.
You know what? A little creativity always makes its place in viewers’ hearts. And Blue Path was able to show this perfectly with its creative 404 error page. The strong CTA at the error page of Blue Path is going to close a lot of leads for them.
While designing and developing their error page, Blue Path didn’t leave their branding and how they work. They cleverly showed how they use data and analytics to their benefit and strategize your business for growth.
Remember how no internet makes you play the Dino game for time to pass? Kualo took that idea to a next level and created a game for their 404 error page. They blamed the missing page on Space Invaders and let you take revenge by destroying them.
Kualo offers some of the best domain and hosting packages to people around the globe. Their unique and well-developed error page shows how much they are into the industry and can help you too. The rock-solid team that can even make their error page a star, can and will do wonders for you.
Wrapping up
That’s all folks. These are the best 5 404 pages examples we like the most. You can take inspiration from these ones and design for your website or business a completely brand-new 404 error page. Make sure they take notice and get yourself registered in their mind so they always choose you in the crowd.
Still confused about how you should design your custom 404 error page? Don’t worry. Jason Hunter Design is always at your service. Just ping us on the given form with all the details and we will get back to you.
Jason Bass is a marketing strategist, community builder, and founder who turns bold ideas into real momentum. At the helm of Jason Hunter Design, Pixel Partner Digital, and The Citizen, he brings clarity to chaos, structure to startups, and firepower to brands ready to scale. Known for his visionary thinking and down-to-earth leadership, Jason helps businesses grow — not just in revenue, but in purpose and impact.