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30 Best 404 Pages That Keep Users On Track [+ Best Practices]

The best 404 pages inform, entertain and guide. Explore 30 top examples to help you craft a design that brings your website visitors back on track.

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Nobody wants to land on a 404 page. 

In short, a 404 page shows a website visitor that the page they are looking for doesn’t exist

It’s a sign that something has gone wrong.  

However, 404 pages are a crucial element in your website’s navigation and structure

When added successfully, they can lead your visitors to helpful areas of your site and elevate your overall website user experience (UX).  

When ignored, your visitors can be left in the lurch, facing confusion and frustration before leaving your website. 

Below, we’ve listed the 30 best 404 pages that keep users on track in 2024. We also detail their key features and list the best practices to inspire your own successful 404 page designs. 

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What Is A 404 Page? 

A 404 page is a landing page designed to appear when a website’s content is unavailable or doesn’t exist

Often referred to as a 404 Error Page or 404 Page Not Found, its content contains a message explaining to visitors that what they have searched for can’t be displayed. 

By adding extra information and ongoing links, a 404 page guides users to helpful answers or different areas of the website. 

In general, 404 pages can occur when: 

  • A URL is broken 
  • There was a typo in the URL 
  • The page does not exist 
  • The page has been moved 
  • The server is down 

Does your current website have a 404 page?

30 Best 404 Pages To Avoid User Frustrations 

See the 30 best examples of 404 pages that navigate visitor confusion and frustration while driving continued user journeys, conversions and brand credibility. 

1. Figma 

Main feature: Interactive, on-brand render functionality 

[Source: Figma]

Figma is a collaborative interface design tool. 

As such, its 404 page design leans on the software it provides. Visitors can stretch and pull the curves and points of its 404 message as if they were creating a design within the actual software. 

This interaction not only boosts engagement but remains on-brand, strengthening the credibility of Figma’s design tool capabilities. 

2. Codecademy 

Features: Playable mini game and call-to-action (CTA) 

Codecademy is an online interactive learning platform. 

Its 404 page features the usual error message, stating “Oh No! Looks Like You’re Lost.” Below the message, however, are two buttons: Play the Game and Build your own.  

The first opens a playable mini game, while the second leads to Codecademy’s game development course. 

This gamification helps to reduce visitor frustrations and increase engagement. It also shows what can be achieved through Codecademy’s relevant course, which is linked to maximize conversion opportunity. 

3. Carwow 

Main feature: Interactive racing game  

Carwow is an online marketplace for buying and selling cars. 

Its 404 page involves a racing mini game. Once you crash, you are cleverly redirected to find a new car through the website’s homepage. 

The 404 page design also includes on-brand, car-related messaging such as “Looks like we sent you the wrong way” and “Let us guide you back.” 

4. Dribbble 

Main feature: Interactive color slider displaying related designs 

Dribbble is a self-promotion and social networking platform for digital designers. 

The website’s 404 Page Not Found message is short and simple: Whoops, that page is gone.  

This helps to reduce wasted time for visitors aiming to find a certain designer or its owner’s page. 

However, the page also includes a unique interactive feature that displays the site’s most popular designs by color.  

Visitors can adjust the slider and images of the same HEX code are automatically generated in the 404 shape, driving continued journeys into the website. 

5. Medium 

Main feature: Selected articles about being lost 

[Source: Medium]

Medium is an open online publishing platform. 

The 404 page adds an element of humor by including a collection of articles related to getting lost.  

If visitors aren’t interested in the added articles, there is a clear link that lets them return to the homepage and restart their journeys. 

6. Wendy’s 

Main feature: Interactive mini game 

[Source: Wendy’s]

Wendy’s is a fast-food chain known for its humorous and witty approach to branding. 

Its 404 page matches this fun brand identity with an interactive game. Visitors are welcomed to play as Wendy stacking burgers. 

This gamification matches Wendy’s wider brand identity and physical store setup, which strive to deliver customer enjoyment. 

7. Ahrefs 

Main feature: Broken Link Checker tool CTA 

[Source: Ahrefs]

Ahrefs is a full-suite search engine optimization (SEO) tool. 

The company offers a range of solutions to help businesses manage, improve and grow its online presence. 

One of these services is its Broken Link Checker. Ahrefs explains that a 404 page is a form of broken link before directing visitors to its Broken Link Checker tool to check their own sites. 

This approach turns Ahrefs’ non-existent pages into another conversion rate optimization technique

8. DashThis 

Main feature: Humorous Lord of the Rings graph and tone of voice 

[Source: DashThis]

DashThis is a marketing reporting dashboards software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider. 

The company uses humor for its error pages. Following a Lord of the Rings theme, it recreates the Tower of Sauron, Barad-dûr, through a reporting graph. 

DashThis uses phrasing like “One does not simply walk into a 404” before adding “Perhaps going back to the Homepage would help?” 

This eases visitor frustration while guiding them to the best website area for their needs. 

9. Kualo 

Main feature: Playable version of Space Invaders 

[Source: Kualo]

Kualo is a site hosting, domain registration and cloud hosting provider. 

Its messaging strays from the norm, claiming the space invaders have destroyed the page. This tells visitors that the page doesn’t exist in a playful way. 

Kualo then offers visitors a route back to the homepage or the chance to play a version of the game Space Invaders, with the enemy organized in a formation that spells Kualo

From nostalgia to engagement, the design uplifts Kualo’s UX more than a simple 404 Page Not Found message. 

10. IMDb 

Main features: Film and 404 page-related quotes 

[Source: IMDb]

IMDb is an online database of film, TV and celebrity content. 

The 404 page on IMDb features random, modified quotes to connect with its audience of film fanatics. 

The quotes are adapted to fit the missing page theme, while a link to the homepage signals a way back for those who wish to continue their user journey. 

11. GitHub 

Main feature: Animated character with a search bar 

[Source: GitHub]

GitHub is a developer platform that enables the creation, storage, management and sharing of code. 

When landing on a non-existent page, visitors are shown an animated character with the message: “This is not the web page you are looking for.” 

The quick, yet endearing animation and message are followed by a search bar, where developers can directly enter the page they initially hoped to find.  

12. LEGO 

Main feature: Animated LEGO character

[Source: LEGO]

LEGO is a Danish toy construction company.  

The LEGO website speaks directly to its target audience, children and their parents, with an on-brand animated character. 

Using phrasing like “Oh Bricks!” also helps to reengage visitors through humor and play. 

A contrasting, simple blue CTA with Back To Homepage text follows the error message, allowing users to restart their journeys without friction. 

13. Digital Silk 

Main feature: Social proof and trending articles

Digital Silk is a full-service web design agency

Our 404 page contains an immediate message to let visitors know the page they are looking for has “been deleted or does not exist.” 

If visitors choose to scroll down, they will find a range of thought leadership articles, testimonials, and awards.  

This additional content helps drive credibility and authority in our solutions, even from an error page. 

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14. Dropbox 

Main feature: Internal links 

[Source: Dropbox]

Dropbox is a file hosting service

Its stripped-back 404 page focuses on getting its visitors back on track. A simple image and message are followed by six core links, from the website homepage to signing up for a free Dropbox account. 

Surrounded by endless whitespace, attention is concentrated on these links only to reduce bounce rates

15. BuzzFeed 

Main feature: Animated cat with a Buzzfeed logo shirt 

[Source: Buzzfeed]

BuzzFeed is an American digital media, news and entertainment company. 

The title tag for its 404 page is Page Not Found, instantly showing visitors that they have landed in the wrong place. 

BuzzFeed uses its 404 page as a touchpoint for building brand awareness. The company does this by adding its logo to the t-shirt of a blinking animated cat.  

Meanwhile, visitors can return to the homepage via a clear CTA button. 

16. Audible 

Main feature: Audio clip recommendations 

[Source: Audible]

Audible is an online audiobook and podcast service delivered by Amazon.  

The 404 page contains a quote from literature, appealing to the shared interests of its target audience. 

It also contains a sliding gallery of listener favorites. When hovered on, more details such as reviews, length and a blurb appear.  

This provides an extra touchpoint for prospective customers to find an audiobook they like and sign up to Audible’s subscription service. 

17. Airbnb 

Main feature: Animation of a girl dropping an ice cream 

[Source: Airbnb]

Airbnb is an online marketplace for holiday and short-term rentals and experiences. 

The hospitality group’s 404 Page Not Found uses an animation of a girl dropping an ice cream to evoke an emotive response from its website visitors.  

The design mirrors the feeling of a small accident before swiftly offering a continued route for website exploration via a selection of helpful internal links. 

18. Adobe 

Main feature: Product placement 

[Source: Adobe]

Adobe is a multinational computer software company. 

Adobe uses its 404 page design as an opportunity to promote the company’s most popular products. 

Short descriptions of Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop and Express are provided with Learn More CTAs, guiding visitors directly to its product pages. 

19. Geissele Automatics 

Main feature: On-brand visuals and copy 

[Source: Geissele Automatics]

Geissele Automatics is a weapons manufacturing company. 

The 404 Error Page’s heading reads “Oh Shoot,” while it also features a target that has been missed at every shot. 

These features provide on-brand humor, speaking directly to Geissele’s audience of weapon shoppers.  

The page also includes a newsletter sign-up button, increasing potential email marketing subscribers for Geissele’s online sales. 

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20. KonMari 

Main feature: On-brand messaging 

[Source: KonMari]

KonMari is a professional Japanese organizing consultant. 

Her 404 page messaging displays her recognizable brand personality. By claiming that she “Let go of this page with gratitude,” KonMari is referring to her approach to tidying and decluttering. 

The page highlights KonMari’s core brand values while also giving visitors the option to Keep Browsing through a CTA button. 

21. Magnt 

Main feature: Custom Venn diagram imagery 

[Source: Magnt]

Magnt is a website building platform. 

It uses a humorous Venn diagram to highlight the reasons for a 404 page, stating “We Broke Something” and “You Can’t Type.” 

The page also uses micro-interactions to create an engaging UX. These include a hover animation over the CTA button and a reaction of the Venn diagram to website visitor’s cursor position. 

22. 9GAG 

Main feature: Background meme GIF 

[Source: 9GAG]

9GAG is a social media platform for internet humor and breaking news. 

It keeps its 404 page on-brand and light-hearted by combining two famous memes into one for the page’s background.  

The memes of Blink 182’s Tom DeLong and The Simpsons’ Homer Simpson show confusion and wanting to disappear – both of which are relevant reactions to a broken webpage. 

9GAG keeps its visitors on track by using a central CTA to suggest a mobile app download

23. Buddha Brands 

Main feature: Floating fruits and geometric shapes 

[Source: Buddha Brands]

Buddha Brands is a plant-based snacks and beverages eCommerce brand. 

Our award-winning design team at Digital Silk created a 404 page for Buddha Brands that represents its playful and exciting brand identity

Floating fruit and layers of geometric shapes give the page texture and intrigue, while simple messaging and one key CTA help direct visitors back toward the online shop. 

24. Spotify 

Main feature: Spinning vinyl animation 

[Source: Spotify]

Spotify is a globally renowned music streaming platform. 

Its 404 page refers to Kanye West’s 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak and provides a spinning vinyl animation. 

As well as finding common ground with its listeners through popular culture references, Spotify offers its visitors a trio of ongoing links to find what they were originally searching for. 

25. POWR2 

Main feature: On-brand messaging and animations 

[Source: POWR2]

POWR2 is an industrial energy storage company. 

Our team at Digital Silk designed POWR2’s 404 page in line with its wider brand and visual identity. Stating that the page has been unplugged and including electrical plug illustrations follows the theme of POWR2’s energy storage solutions. 

Meanwhile, a central CTA includes a hover interaction and straightforward messaging to “Go Back Home,” making the website’s navigation as simple as possible. 

26. MAD 

Main feature: Interactive 404 buttons 

[Source: MAD] 

MAD is a digital product design agency. 

Its 404 page contains hundreds of interactive buttons set to display the term 404.  

Visitors can flip the buttons on or off to spell anything they please. While simple, the buttons provide a pleasing experience that highlights the attraction of micro-interactions in web design. 

27. Feldman Studio 

Main feature: Interactive retro snake mini game 

Feldman Studio is a Paris-based creative studio. 

It uses its 404 page as an opportunity to improve website UX and reduce visitor frustrations through the retro snake arcade game. 

Users are given just three seconds before being launched into the game, complete with a scoreboard to drive competition and interactive website sessions. 

Once finished, players can leave their email addresses to join the leaderboard, providing a conversion opportunity for Feldman Studio. 

28. Pixar Animation Studios 

Main feature: Animated character from the film Inside Out 

[Source: Pixar]

Pixar is a U.S.-based animation studio operating as a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. 

In 2015, Pixar released the movie Inside Out, where each character represents an emotion. One of the main characters is Sadness, who is depicted on Pixar’s 404 page. 

The page also refers to Long Term Memory, a location in the movie containing all the main character’s known memories. 

Pixar uses these references to connect with its audience of animation fans, while also downplaying the seriousness of a 404 Error Page

29. Love Beets 

Main feature: Social media links 

[Source: Love Beets]

Love Beets is a provider of beetroot products and recipes. 

Its website’s 404 page contains two short messages – “Error 404” and “Page Not Found” – to let visitors know the page they searched for doesn’t exist. 

The design then features several social media links embedded within beetroot illustrations that are planted within the design. When hovered over, each beetroot rises as if being handpicked in a clever, on-brand design feature. 

30. Lyft 

Main feature: Looped driving car animation 

Lyft is an American rideshare platform. 

Its 404 page features a loop animation of a car driving in circles around a roundabout. 

The design combines the situations of being lost on a website and in real life in a fun, almost hypnotic animation that captures visitor attention. 

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Essential Best Practices For 404 Pages 

To build a 404 page that maintains a high website UX, upkeeps a streamlined navigation and represents your brand identity, you need to consider five key best practices: 

Best Practice 1. Add A Straightforward Error Message 

Visitors need to know that they have gone off track and why it has happened.  

Whether your tone of voice is direct or humorous, you need to get your message across in the simplest way possible.  

Why? 

Because as sentence length increases from eight to 43 words, user understanding decreases by over 90%

By using short, easy-to-read messaging you can make sure your website visitors understand why they have landed on a 404 page and how they can fix the issue. 

Best Practice 2. Craft Engaging Visuals & Interactions 

Even on 404 pages, your design elements are crucial in shaping brand credibility

Adding custom animations, imagery and interactions to not only improve user experiences but also develop a high-end digital presence that boosts brand authority. 

After all, 94% of initial mistrust for a website comes from design alone. 

Best Practice 3. Provide Ongoing Navigation 

Simple navigation is essential in providing a high-quality UX for your website visitors and supporting your desired user journeys.  

Be sure to add clear links, buttons and CTAs that shape your visitors’ next steps. 

By clarifying how to exit the 404 page and where your site visitors can find the information they were originally looking for, you have a higher chance of reducing bounce rates and meeting your audience’s intentions

Best Practice 3. Stay On Brand 

Companies with consistent branding can see revenues increase by up to 33%

Just like the rest of your website, your 404 page is an opportunity to drive brand recognition, awareness and sales through consistency. 

Use the messaging and visual elements detailed in your brand guidelines to ensure a consistent approach to your 404 page design.  

These can include:  

  • Imagery 
  • Color palettes 
  • Typography 
  • Tone of voice 
  • Logo usage 

Best Practice 5. Include Contact Information 

Adding contact information to your 404 Page Not Found design delivers two benefits for your business. 

  1. They act as a final outlet for those who still aren’t able to find the content or page they are looking for. 
  2. They provide a conversion opportunity for nurtured leads searching for a particular product or service. 

You can either add your phone, email or social media details in text or create a custom form to help drive conversions and organize your internal customer relationship management (CRM) operations. 

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Craft The Best 404 Pages For Your Site With Digital Silk 

The best 404 pages explain, connect and direct. 

They show your website visitors what has happened and where to go next, while diffusing frustrations to maintain a high-quality UX

At Digital Silk, our award-winning web design team crafts custom, on-brand websites that include winning 404 pages. 

As a full-service web design agency, our senior-level professionals deliver a range of solutions to grow your brand online

These include: 

We set ourselves apart from other agencies by focusing on three core values: 

  • To take project ownership 
  • To provide transparency 
  • To drive measurable results 

Learn how we create the best 404 pages and see how we can build yours by contacting us or calling us at (800) 206-9413. Alternatively, fill out the Request a Quote form below.

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Head of Design

Over the past 15 years, Alec has worked with a wide variety of clients across industries, guiding teams and building new procedures to bring award-winning ideas to life. He targets innovation in typography, photography, animation, storytelling and design. Driven by strategy and logic, Alec prides himself on creating unmatched pixel-perfect designs.

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