NFIB

Errors That Work for You
03/ 25/ 2002

How to direct customers back to your Web site when they get a little lost

No matter how often you update your Web page, some of the links will generate an "error page" for your visitors. This "404 File Not Found Error" page will frustrate your visitors and possibly keeping them from entering your Web site.

You need to create a customized error page, which will politely tell visitors they are lost and provide a link they can click on to go right to your Web page. It's much better than the anonymous 404-error page, which could lead potential customers to think your Web page is out of order-even if they are the ones that made the mistake.

Contact your Web host and they'll tell you exactly how to make a personalized 404-error page work on your server. If you're a bit more tech literate, you can make your own page. The Web site http://htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/tutors/404error.html will walk you through the steps to create this page.

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This article originally appeared in the March/April 2001 issue of MyBusiness Magazine, NFIB's member magazine.

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