Maybe it was a broken link, a misspelled URL or some page you wrote back in 1997 that just needed to go. Whatever the reason, it’s inevitable that visitors are going to land on your 404 Error page.
Having a unique well-designed 404 Error page can help to keep visitors engaged with your site when they land on a missing or non-existing page. If you can effectively guide these visitors to navigation buttons or a search box and possibly even get a chuckle out of them, you just may win yourself a new loyal visitor.
Gdzil.la
Gdzilla’s 404 page is pretty creative and functional. The text above the “Godzilla” links back to the homepage. The neat little Godzilla graphic keeps it interactive by following the mouse with his eyes and growling at you when you click him.
CSS Tricks
CSS-Tricks was smart in his 404 design by adding a neat little 3d graphic showing a torn page revealing some CSS code in the background. He also point users in the right direction by suggesting the user look to the sidebar for some navigation or offering a contact link if they feel that the page should be there.
Merge
Merge’s 404 includes a little audio as their graphic “harks” at you while also including functionality with a search option.
Version Industries
How about a video 404 page. Version Industries has a pretty unique 404 displaying a video from the POV of a webcam of what appears to be their (IT guy?) wearing a 404 shirt just staring at the computer working. Refresh the page to change characters.
Zivity
The 404 of Zivity lets you know that the page is gone, tells the user that they still care for them, and then gives them some page navigation.
Urban Outfitters
You can always keep it simple like Urban Outfitters does with their 404.
Fluther
Fluther puts a face to the missing 404 user adding a bit of humor.
CSS Leak
You could always offer a completely irrelevant option to your missing page as does CSS Leak. In an attempt to find some non-existing CSS inspiration they offer up a couple of drink recipes.
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard lets you know that you broke their site when you type in non-existing links.
THCNET
How about an interactive DOS 404 page like THCNET has. Try typing “open the mailbox” to start the adventure.
The Hype Machine
I like the creative use of a billboard sign that The Hype Machine uses on theirs.
Woodland Farmers Market
This one is pretty creative “feel the 404ce” – via Woodland Farmers Market
hi.im
Hi,I’m uses a little Pulp Fiction humor to inform you of the missing page.
Soocial
The 404 by Soocial is pretty clever and also hard to look at. It provides a funny fill-in-the-blank email form to let the team know how you ended up on the page and also throws up an image of a gun-toting, package-revealing, mustache-bearing guy sporting a very unique outfit.
Orangecoat
If you land on the wrong page over at Orangecoat, you can be certain that their flowchart can guide you in the right direction. Note: Unless you have some amazing vision, you’ll need to click on the image link to be able to read the text on this one.
Slonky
The guys at Slonky have a pretty funny error page. It reminds me of the Michael Bolton character in Office Space, minus the lack of hair.
Daze Of Our Lives
A vintage take on a 404 error page via Daze Of Our Lives.
Dawdle
Dawdle got creative using a Mario Bros. screen-cap to inform visitors about a missing page.
Just Creative Design
Just Creative Design has a good one playing off of the phrase “Oh, Snap!”.
Rush68
A classic 404 error page from Rush68 that touches on the subject of boredom.
Centerd
Centerd uses the “I’m sorry” kitten face and a little humor in their 404.
Astuteo
This is one of my favorites. Astuteo really nailed it when it comes to originality.
RomList
Type in the wrong address at RomList and you will see the end of the internet. Push the Shut Down… button to see whats next.
rbardini
Here’s a good one over at rbardini.com.
WeFollow
WeFollow uses a quote from Back To The Future for their 404.
Itchy Robot
The simple ones are my favorite, like Itchy Robot’s 404. “Oh, Crap!”
Your Web Job
You may find an unemployed page at Your Web Job. This is another one that uses a search box as a way to keep the visitor on the site and away from the back button.
Digital Mash
The wrong URL could possibly break the internet according to the 404 of Digital Mash.
Project Euh
This is a good one. Click on one of the flashing empty images to continue the random journey.
GOG
Your requested URL could be lost in space – via GOG.
Suspended Animations
Offering a sad face and some page links to get you back on track works for Suspended Animations 404.
Blue Daniel
Blue Daniel has a very unique customized Flash 404 page. Move the mouse around to interact.
Acro Media
Here’s a good one from Acro Media.
South Park Studios
You know South Park is going to have a good one.
Take Lessons
Using a design that fits your website can show users your creativity. Take Lessons, a music lessons site, was smart to incorporate an image and quote from “The King” himself.
Surfing On Static
Here is an interesting one from Surfing On Static.
24-7 Media
This one has been around for a while, but it’s too creative not to include on the list. – 24-7 Media
Twingly
Blame it on the ninja! – Twingly
RareView
Short, simple and a little funny. They have a nice homepage too. – rareview
Auto Test
Here is another good example of incorporating your product with your 404 over at Auto Test.
Badmouth
A little Bono humor from Badmouth.
AntzFx
AntxFx uses some symbolism in their 404.
CDHarrison
Make sure you read this one, its pretty funny. – CDHarrison
PolitiFact
Here is one using a little political humor at PolitiFact.
NorthernTool
I’d much rather have a mishap with a broken URL than a power tool. – NorthernTool
TellTale Games
“Maybe this page is a figment of your imagination. Maybe you’re a figment of your own imagination.” A funny 404 from TellTale Games.
taptaptap
Keep hitting the refresh button for several funny “Fail” images on taptaptap’s 404 page.
Game Lib
I think it’s great that when you hit the wrong address at Game Lib that at least you get a free pong game out of the error.
Vintage Sleds
Along with mystery meats, apparently mystery pages taste like chicken too. – Vintage Sleds
SouthCreative
SouthCreative was being just that when they designed their 404.
Aardman
“It smells like dead badger!” Here is an interesting one from Aardman.
Rezgo
You may have not found that missing URL, but at least you found Kenzie. – Rezgo
Twitter keeps it simple with a search box and some page links.
Comedy Central
Comedy Central offers up a funny comic and then redirects you to the homepage after a few seconds.
Snapple
Snapple keeps with the theme of their site, bright and vibrant, and suggests you use the above navigation.
MailChimp
MailChimp uses their chimp icon in the design of their 404.
African Budget Safaris
Here is a funny one from African Budget Safaris.
The North Face
There is always the chance that a goat could have eaten the link. – via The North Face
Frye / Wiles
They did a good job on this one. Another one of my personal favorites. – Frye/Wiles
Fab404
If you’ve enjoyed this list, then take a look at Fab404. The whole site is dedicated to 404 error pages.
Written by Shawn Ramsey
When I’m not brewing my own beer or hiking through the local National Forest, I’m busy building a more beautiful web.
The guy in the bondage outfit is Sean Connery (aka james bond) afaik
in the movie ZARDOZ……
Ha! I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows that movie!
These are cool.
You should add mine as well.
http://www.jadgraphics.net/404
Just curious as to what’s going on with the Yahoo! branding on the MailChimp screenshot? We’re not affiliated with or owned by Yahoo! and would appreciate if you could switch out the image to reflect that. http://mailchimp.com/404
Amanda,
Not sure what was going on there. Most of these images were direct screen shots. Thanks for pointing that out. The Image has been updated.
The gdzil.la one is pretty sweet. Keep clicking on the little gdzilla graphic and you may find and easter egg ;-)
To me this has been the best 404 page. Always makes me laugh
http://automated.it/404
I’ll add my 5 cents as well – http://blackmoondev.com/404
Cheers:)
http://www.zedjunior.com/404
another great 404 page that goes very well with the theme of the site http://dbookshelf.com/404
The 404 page from Social is a clip from the movie ‘Zardoz’ (1974) starring Sean Connery – yes, it’s him in his youthfull days !
The best 404 error ever is at http://www.rathergood.com/404/
How is http://www.homestarrunner.com/404.html not there?? :O
Great collection, but there’s absolutely nothing funnier than this one:
http://www.acm.uiuc.edu/siggraph/eoh_projects/eoh2002.html
Enjoy!
Thanks for including our 404 page in your post!
Thank you for featuring antzFx.com 404 page.
porra ate a gamelib entro
You have to see this one http://monkeychucker.com/missing.html
Hey! Awwwwsome stuff….Thanks for the inspiration!
Check out the version we just created: http://orgasmitude.com/oops
Love,
Ronja