Custom error pages allows you to display special web pages that a user will see when an error is registered on your site.
For example, you can change the file not found page to include:
- your logo
- a link to your homepage
- a link to your sitemap
- a search form
- etc.
Creating a custom error page can give a more professional feel to your website and can also be useful when your site is under construction.
Common HTTP errors
| HTTP status code | Description |
|---|---|
| 401 | Occurs when the user has failed to authenticate themselves properly when trying to access a restricted/password protected page. |
| 403 | Occurs when access is forbidden to the page the user to trying to access. |
| 404 | Occurs when user comes across a broken link on your website, or misspells a URL to a page they are trying to access. It is important to be helpful with your 404 error page or the user may decide to leave your site. |
| 500 | Occurs when the page cannot be displayed. This can occur when a server-side script fails to run, or under other circumstances. You should have the user contact the site administrator when this error occurs. |
Further information
For further information about custom error pages, refer to:
- HTTP status codes - definitions about each type of HTTP response code.
- The Perfect 404 - tips on how to create a useful 404 error message.
