What is a 404?

The dreaded '404 Not Found' message appears when a server can't find the web address you requested. This might be the result of a broken or dead link, or human error when typing in the address. Either way, it leads to equal amounts of frustration!

What does my 404 page look like?

To check just add /404 to the end of your blog's web address. If you're using Blogger's default settings, your 404 page will look something like this:

What's wrong with it?

Well, nothing per se. It's just a bit boring, and doesn't do much to keep the disgruntled visitor on your blog. Some people set up an automatic 301 redirect from 404 errors to their home page, but this is bad for your SEO, and confusing for people who clicked a link expecting something specific. The best way forward is to create a custom 404 page.

How do I fix it?

Blogger makes things nice and simple for you. On your Dashboard, click 'Settings' then 'Search Preferences'. You'll now see a section headed 'Custom Page Not Found'. Click 'Edit' and, ta-dah, you get a nice empty box waiting to receive your custom HTML.

If you don't feel confident typing it straight in, just get it all ready in a draft post then copy and paste. I decided to keep things simple - I made a cutesy 'page not found' image with canva.com and added a search bar:


The great thing is that you can make yours as simple or as complex as you like. You can use your 404 page to help find a missing child, showcase your favourite blog posts, or engage people with a web game. For inspiration, check out creativemarket.com's list of the coolest 404 pages on the net.