How to Create a 404 Page on Wix

A 404 page is displayed when a visitor attempts to access a page on your website that does not exist. Having a custom 404 page on your Wix website is essential to improve user experience and reduce bounce rates. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create a professional error page, customize it, and provide tips to improve it for both users and SEO.

Why Create a Custom 404 Page on Wix?

When visitors encounter a broken link or a missing page, they are usually presented with a generic error message. However, a well-designed 404 page can make a huge difference in retaining users and guiding them to relevant content. A customized error page on your Wix website provides an opportunity to:

• Maintain a professional appearance by aligning with your website's branding.
• Redirect users to other pages, preventing them from leaving your site.
• Improve the overall user experience and encourage further navigation.
• Help with SEO by providing search engine bots with a clear error message.

How to Create a Custom 404 Page on Wix

Creating a custom 404 page on Wix is straightforward. Follow these steps to design a page that suits your website:

1. Step 1: Log in to your Wix account and open your website’s editor.
2. Step 2: Go to the "Menus & Pages" section from the left-hand side panel.
3. Step 3: Click on the "Add Page" button and select "404 Page" from the list of page types.
4. Step 4: Customize the page by adding text, images, and buttons. You can use the text "Page not found" along with a friendly message encouraging users to navigate back to other pages.
5. Step 5: You can also add a link to the homepage or a search bar to help users find what they're looking for.
6. Step 6: Once you're satisfied with your design, click "Publish" to make the page live on your site.

Designing Your Wix 404 Page

The design of your 404 page plays a critical role in how users interact with it. Consider these best practices when designing your custom 404 page:

• Consistency with Branding: Ensure that your 404 page uses the same fonts, colors, and logos as the rest of your site.
• Clear Messaging: A simple and clear message such as "Oops! This page was not found" can inform users immediately about the error.
• Call-to-Action: Include a call-to-action like "Go Back to Home" or "Search Our Website" to guide users toward a better experience.
• Humor and Personality: A touch of humor or personality can make your 404 page memorable, but avoid overdoing it.

Adding a 404 Page to Wix Website

Once you've designed your custom 404 page, you’ll need to configure the page to show up when users visit a broken link. Here's how to set it up:

1. Step 1: In the Wix editor, go to the "Site" menu, then click on "SEO" settings.
2. Step 2: Scroll to the "Advanced Settings" section and click on "Custom 404 Error Page".
3. Step 3: From the dropdown menu, select the custom 404 page you created earlier.
4. Step 4: Save the changes and your 404 page is now live!

How to Improve 404 Page for SEO

Improving the SEO of your 404 page can help both users and search engines understand what’s going on when a page is missing. Here are some tips for optimizing your Wix 404 page:

• Title Tags: Ensure the title tag of your 404 page includes a clear message, like "404 Error - Page Not Found" to help search engines index it correctly.
• Meta Descriptions: Write a meta description that explains the error and provides users with options to navigate elsewhere.
• Internal Linking: Use internal links to direct users to popular or relevant pages, which can help with SEO and reduce bounce rates.
• Analytics: Monitor traffic to your 404 page using Google Analytics to identify any broken links and fix them.

How to Fix Broken Links on Wix

Once you've created a custom 404 page, it's important to regularly monitor your website for broken links that might trigger the error page. Wix provides tools to help you identify and fix broken links:

• Wix SEO Wiz: Use Wix’s SEO Wiz tool to identify any broken links or pages with errors.
• Manual Check: Periodically review your site and test links to ensure they direct users to the right places.
• Redirects: Set up page redirects for any old URLs or missing pages to redirect users to relevant content automatically.

Useful Links

Creating a Custom 404 Page on Wix – This guide walks you through creating and customizing a 404 error page for your Wix website, including steps to design and implement it.

SEO Best Practices for Wix Websites – Learn about SEO best practices for Wix, including title tags, meta descriptions, and how to enhance SEO for your 404 page.

90+ Top Apps to Achieve Your Goals with Wix!

Elfsight created dozens of useful apps to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Wix!

Conclusion

Creating a custom 404 page on Wix is a simple yet effective way to enhance user experience and maintain a professional image for your website. By customizing your 404 page, improving its design, and optimizing it for SEO, you can keep users engaged and reduce bounce rates. Remember to monitor and fix broken links regularly to avoid unnecessary 404 errors.