How to Create a Custom 404 Page in Squarespace
What is a 404 Page?
A 404 page is created within your website that viewers will land on if the link they used is broken. A link can be broken if a page has been moved within your website, deleted, or if the page slug(link) has been changed or typed in wrong.
Squarespace will automatically create a default 404 page to help viewers navigate back to your main page. However, the default design not does not always showcase your branding effectively, nor does it encourage viewers to look through your other website pages.
Create your own custom 404 page so you can provide your own call-to-action options, customize your branding and website page layout, and keep the viewer interested in your content.
Step 1:
Create a new page on your website. Make sure it is under the NOT LINKED category in your list of pages so it doesn’t show in your navigation.
Here are some things you can include on your 404 page:
Make sure your header and footer are visible. We want to encourage viewers to look for other options on your website.
Keep the branding consistent with your fonts, colours, buttons, and layout style.
Have a fun title or something to let viewers know that the link they used is no longer working or that it may have been moved.
Give them some options as to where they can go next or how to contact you.
Optional: have a list of featured blogs/products, or other highly searched items that are within your website to give them somewhere to go.
Remember that the point of a custom 404 page is to keep them from leaving your website if they come across a broken link.
Step 2:
Check your 404 page settings. Navigate to the setting option in your custom 404 page.
PAGES>HOVER OVER YOUR CUSTOM 404 PAGE IN THE SIDE PANEL>CLICK THE SETTING ICON (GEAR)
General:
Make sure your page has a proper URL slug. Example: /404-page
Check that the page is enabled (or else it will not appear in step 4).
SEO:
Create an SEO title & description (see image below for example).
Social Image:
Just like every other website page, make sure you have a social sharing image (don’t forget to properly name your image).
Step 3:
Now it’s time to link the custom page you created to the 404 Page option.
Navigate to DESIGN>404 PAGE
These next two steps will tell Squarespace exactly where you want viewers to go if they should happen to land on a broken or missing link.
Step 4:
On the left, use the dropdown menu to select the custom 404 page you created.
Step 5:
Make sure to test your website outside of the editing platform (open up a new browser window or tab). Make sure all your buttons are working, and it is optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Recap:
Squarespace will create a default 404 page but it is not always effective when trying to redirect your viewers to other pages. Creating a custom 404 page will allow you to have more control as to what you want your viewer to do next.
As much as we want to avoid broken pages or links, sometimes it just happens. One thing we can control, is the look and design of our 404 page, and the call-to-actions you create.