k14

Page not found at a glance

Site Genre: Pattern Group k

magnify imageFigure K14.1 If it can’t find a requested page, Microsoft’s Web site displays a special page describing the problem. This page helps customers who may be lost by providing a meaningful error message, a site map with an overview, a search form, and basic navigation to the main portions of the Web site.

Background

Because pages are moved around as a Web site evolves, invariably some customers will get a Page not found error. This pattern looks at customizing the error message to make it easier for visitors to recover from this error.

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PROBLEM

Sometimes customers click on links, type in URLs, or have bookmarks for pages that no longer exist, resulting in the dreaded Page not found error message or, even worse, Error 404.

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SOLUTION

magnify image Figure K14.2 A Page not found page should let customers know that the page they want is missing and help them find their way back into the Web site.

Create a custom Page not found Web page that makes it easy for customers to browse or search for the content they were expecting to find.

Other Patterns to Consider

On your Page not found page, provide a MEANINGFUL ERROR MESSAGE (K13) explaining that the requested page could not be found. Also give customers some ways to continue navigating the Web site from the Page not found page, such as a NAVIGATION BAR (K2), a SEARCH ACTION MODULE (J1), and relevant portions of your SITE MAP (K17).

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