How to Create Your Own 404 Error Page

Directions for Apache Users

Back to Step One: Modify the httpd.conf file

Step Two: Create the 404 Error Page

There are lots of different error 404 pages you can create, ranging from the succinct and dry to the peculiar, to the witty, to the super-helpful (for example, you can easily a add a google search for only pages from your site to your 404 error page).

You might spend a few minutes checking out our list of amusing 404 spoof pages.

Whichever path you choose, you'll find people appreciate if you at least offer a link to your home page and some method whereby they can contact you if they are insistent that certain material should be present but isn't.

Also, most people agree that not insulting them is a good strategy, but, perhaps surprisingly, this varies and there are definitely some 404 error pages out there that are quite blunt.

It depends on the style of your site, your sense of humor, and whether you want to err on the side of "useful" or on the side of "amusing".

Step Three: Restart the Web Server