Creating a Custom 404 Error In Joomla
Written by Sudhi | 09 April 2009
The 404 error page is one of the most overlooked components of a strong web site. Consider this site as an example. A while back, the URL structure was changed in a way that prevented automatic forwarding. It's a long story, but the end result was hundreds of pages of content were lost. Google had indexed them all and now tons of users are finding the 404 error page.
Creating a customized 404 error page may just keep a user on your site. Rather than your hosting provider getting to advertise their name, you can catch the user's eye and even forward them to a page of your choosing.
- First figure out what you want your 404 page to say and look like. Check out this example from Rockettheme, it incorporates the brand, the logo, and the typography found across the rest of the site. This color continuity and branding may make the user look twice before clicking away. A default 404 page is recognized by most web users without reading a single word of text. You want to interrupt that automated response and get that user to continue on to your site.
- Find your 404 page, in most Joomla! installations, it is located here: root/yourjoomladirectory/templates/system/error.php. Edit this file to change your 404 error page.
- Consider adding an HTML Redirect to your main page, search page, or archive page. This might keep that user who otherwise would click the back button. Give them some time to read your text, perhaps 5 seconds, then send them to a helpful location.
Other Resources:
- 404 Error Pages: Reloaded over at SmashingMagazine.com
- Joomla Documentation on Custom Error Pages
