Web Design Resources

Website development and design incorporates a wide range of eventualities and it is important when reading them to perceive that they will not apply to each and every site. This important caveat notwithstanding, some web development advice has more relevance than other guidance. Interestingly, this relevance is not always linked to the number of books and online resources which are written about the topic. This lack of correlation may in part be due to the tendency of some uninspired web designer and developers to recycle the same old material. Whatever the explanation, something which is not sufficiently discussed is what to do about error pages especially in relation to SEO.

For most sites, error pages are a bit like the weather in that they are depressing and tricky to avoid. However, things can be done to limit their detrimental impact so it is an important factor in your website design and development project to remain positive. Before examining the specific techniques which can be employed, it is worth appreciating that pages often will not load due to a minor error. It could be that the browser has not contacted the server. It may be that a page is no longer in virtual existence. Regardless of the precise cause of the error, the outcome is normally predictable enough. 404: Page Not Found may appear on the screen and the typical user may decide to look elsewhere for information, goods and/or services in the future.

Unfortunately, eradicating error pages is very difficult to do. At clickconsult.com, we can minimise their appearances for our clients both in the early stages of web design , through development and beyond. Error pages do crop up from time to time, so a stoical attitude is necessary. However, there are practical rather than philosophical steps which can be taken to reduce their negative influence. In the first instance, it is important to look at an error page like a user does.

A user is not simply frustrated by the failure of a page to load because they are also annoyed by the bewildering message that 404: Page Not Found sends to them. It does not explain what has happened, nor does it say sorry for the unpleasant glitch. A blank looking expanse of white space does not do much for the mood of the user. SEO is of course based on meeting the expectations of the users and the desires of the web crawlers. What then, is to be done about the 404 page dilemma?

Research has indicated that a formal apology or a witty remark can limit the resentment users can feel when they meet a 404 page. The user may appreciate the effort which has been made and may therefore be willing to linger on the site while they find a page which will prove more successful in relation to catering for their wants and needs. It can be very effective if company-specific items are chosen to adorn the error page. A house style can be given which can do the trick and even serve as link bait, although some might caution it should not be too extravagant because that could lead to potential consumers remembering error pages rather than functional ones.