A 404 error page is displayed when a webpage cannot be accessed. It is important to optimize this page so visitors are not lost to the site. An optimized 404 page should include links to other important pages like the homepage, contact page, or FAQ page. It should also include a search box and list of top posts to help visitors find what they are looking for within the site. Optimizing the 404 page with these elements helps search engines continue properly indexing the site and helps prevent loss of visitors.

1. How To Optimize Your 404 Error Page

2. Error page is displayedwhen a web page cannot be accessed by an Internet browser A searcher can reach this page through several ways broken links incorrect URL pages which have been recently moved

3. Usual error page basic white HTML page error message “http error 404 – file not found” “unable to communicate with the server”

4. Searcher lands on 404 error page huge possibility that the searcher will leave your website especially true if the broken link was from another website crucial that your error page be optimized for your visitors If it is optimized, searchers will be presented with different options to reach other web pages in your website.

5. Optimized 404 error page search engine spiders will go through every single “do follow” link and maybe even some of your “nofollow” links present in your web pages Image: luigidiamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=879

6. when spiders reach an error page that has not been optimized there are no links present it only contains the message “error 404 page not found” they will stop indexing your site There are some cases where having the default 404 error page can affect the web page ranking.

7. Optimizing your 404 page put links to your homepage, contact page, FAQ page or sitemap put a search box place a list of top posts, pages, and categories customize error page by using the same style and layout of your other web pages easy if you are using WordPress

8. Customizing and optimizing your 404 error page should not be overlooked.

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