How to Create a Custom 404 Page in WordPress

Creating a custom 404 page in WordPress is an excellent way to improve user experience when visitors land on a page that doesn’t exist or has been moved. A custom 404 page allows you to guide users back to relevant content, keep them engaged, and even add fun or useful elements like search bars, navigation links, or contact forms.

In this guide, we’ll explore different methods for creating a custom 404 page in WordPress.

1. Understanding the 404 Page in WordPress

A 404 page is displayed when a user tries to access a page that doesn’t exist or can’t be found. For example, a mistyped URL or a link to a removed page will trigger a 404 error.

By default, WordPress will show a basic 404 page with a standard error message, something like:

“Oops! That page can’t be found.”

While functional, this page is very basic and doesn’t offer any help to visitors. A custom 404 page can turn this frustration into an opportunity to help guide users back to your content or keep them engaged on your site.

2. Creating a Custom 404 Page Using Your Theme

The easiest way to create a custom 404 page in WordPress is by editing your theme’s 404.php template. This method doesn’t require a plugin and gives you complete control over the design.

Steps to Create a Custom 404 Page:

1. Access Your Theme Files:
   • From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor.
   • Locate the 404.php file in the theme files on the right side. If your theme doesn’t have a 404.php file, you’ll need to create one.
2. Edit or Create the 404.php File:
   • If the file already exists, you can customize it by adding HTML, CSS, and PHP code to create a more user-friendly error page.If the file doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it. You can start with a basic template and then customize it.
   Example of a basic 404.php file:
   <?php get_header();
?>
<div class="error-404 not-found">
<h1>Oops! That page can’t be found.</h1>
<p>It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search?</p>
<!-- Search Form -->
<?php get_search_form(); ?>
<!-- Recommended Links --> <p>Or go back to our <a href="<?php echo home_url(); ?>">homepage</a>.
</p> <!-- Recent Posts -->
<h3>Recent Posts</h3>
<ul> <?php $recent_posts = wp_get_recent_posts(array( 'numberposts' => 5, 'post_status' => 'publish' )); foreach ($recent_posts as $post) {
echo '<li><a href="'
. get_permalink($post['ID']) . '">'
. $post['post_title'] . '</a>
</li>';
}
?>
</ul> </div>
<?php get_footer();
?>
3. Customize the Content:
   • Header: Use a heading to let users know they’ve encountered a 404 error.
   • Search Bar: Offer a search bar to help users find the content they were looking for.
   • Navigation Links: Provide links to your homepage or important pages on your site.
   • Recent Posts: Display links to some of your most recent posts to encourage users to stay on your site.
   • Humor or Friendly Message: You can also inject humor or a friendly message to soften the frustration.
4. Style Your 404 Page:
   • Customize the design using CSS. You can add a special class to your 404 page for specific styling or modify the existing styles based on your theme.Example:
   .error-404 {
text-align:
center; padding: 50px;
background-color: #f8f8f8;
}
.error-404 h1 {
font-size: 36px; color: #ff6347;
}
.error-404 p
{ font-size: 18px; color: #333;
}
.error-404 a {
color: #0073aa; text-decoration: none;
}
.error-404 a:hover{
text-decoration: underline;
}
5. Save Your Changes:
   • Once you’ve customized your 404 page to your liking, click Update File to save your changes. Your new custom 404 page will now be live on your site.

Benefits of Customizing the 404 Page:

• Improved User Experience: A custom 404 page provides an opportunity to guide visitors back to useful content instead of leaving them frustrated.
• Branding: You can make the error page reflect your site’s style, tone, and branding.
• Engagement: By offering options like a search bar, recent posts, or popular categories, you can keep visitors engaged with your content.

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3. Using a Page Builder for a Custom 404 Page

If you’re using a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or WPBakery, you can create a custom 404 page using their drag-and-drop interface. This method is ideal for users who want more control over the design but don’t want to write code.

Steps for Using Elementor to Create a Custom 404 Page:

1. Install and Activate Elementor (if not already installed).
2. Create a New Template:
   • From the WordPress dashboard, go to Templates > Add New.
   • Select 404 Page from the template options, and click Create Template.
3. Design the Page:
   • Use Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor to add widgets like Heading, Text Editor, Button, Search Form, and Recent Posts.
   • Style the page according to your brand’s guidelines.
4. Set the Custom 404 Page:
   • Once you’re satisfied with the design, click Publish.
   • Set the display conditions to 404 Page. This will ensure that the template you just created is shown whenever a user encounters a 404 error.

Advantages of Using a Page Builder:

• No Code: You don’t need any coding knowledge to create a fully custom design.
• Visual Design: The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to design a 404 page that matches your site’s look and feel.
• Reusable Templates: Once you create the 404 page template, you can easily reuse it across multiple websites if needed.

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4. Using a Plugin to Create a Custom 404 Page

If you’re not comfortable editing theme files or using a page builder, you can use a WordPress plugin to create a custom 404 page. There are plugins available that let you design and manage 404 pages without touching code.

Popular Plugins for Custom 404 Pages:

• 404page – Your Smart Custom 404 Error Page:
  • This plugin allows you to easily create a custom 404 page from the WordPress admin panel.
  • You can use any content editor to design your page and add elements like buttons, images, or links.
  • Steps:
    1. Install and activate the 404page plugin.
    2. Go to Appearance > 404 Error Page and create your custom 404 page using the editor.
    3. Customize the design and layout, then click Save Changes.
    4. The plugin automatically replaces the default 404 page with the one you’ve created.
• Custom 404 Pro:
  • Custom 404 Pro is another plugin that allows you to create highly customized 404 pages. It includes options for custom redirects, widgets, and analytics tracking.
  • Steps:
    1. Install and activate Custom 404 Pro.
    2. Go to Settings > Custom 404 Pro to configure the plugin.
    3. Add content like links to popular pages, a search bar, or a contact form.
    4. Save your changes to activate the new 404 page.

Pros of Using a Plugin:

• Easy Setup: No coding skills required, and you can easily switch or update the page.
• Pre-designed Templates: Some plugins come with pre-designed templates to speed up the process.

Cons:

• Extra Plugins: Installing more plugins could add additional bloat and slow down your site.
• Limited Customization: While plugins are easy to use, they might offer fewer customization options compared to editing the code directly.

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Conclusion

Creating a custom 404 page is an excellent way to enhance user experience, reduce bounce rates, and maintain a professional website. Whether you prefer editing the theme’s 404.php file directly, using a page builder like Elementor, or leveraging a plugin, you have several methods at your disposal.

By designing an engaging and helpful 404 page, you can guide visitors back to your content and encourage them to stay on your site instead of leaving.