This probably happens to all of us once in a while. We try to access a website, and we get a 404 page. It is not something pleasant, especially since we are eager to check the site. It also means there is an error on that page. What is the deal with 404 Pages?
Why 404 Pages?
It is true that nobody likes seeing a 404 Page on their screen. That is bad news. That means they cannot go to the website that they would like to check. Yes, this could also mean they type the address incorrectly, or the page no longer exists.
Still, there is no harm in making your 404 Page look interesting and unique. Here are just some examples:
Just Like Pixar
A picture of the crying Sadness, an adorable character from their movie “Inside Out” can be seen on Pixar’s 404 Landing Page. There is also a cute caption to emphasize the unhappy users that say: “Aww, don’t cry. It’s just a 404 Page. What you’re looking for may have been misplaced in Long Term Memory.”
You can also do something similar with AQR Studio products. For example, you have your own brand characters. If something happens to your website that users cannot find, make your 404 Page still look interesting by placing your brand character with a cute apology text.
Similar To The Crystal Ball
Watch out since the magic crystal ball might hypnotize you to look at it again and again. The good thing about this design by Nikita Melnikov is that the 404 Page does not bore you.
There are plenty of other similar examples on AQR Studio. Just search ‘404 Pages,’ and you will find them. One example would be the 3D render 404 not found. This loop animation will get you hooked.
Chargebacks911
The sample from Chargebacks911 might remind you of a 90’s video game. Imagine seeing a slider below that makes horizontal movements while shooting bullets to kill flying alien bugs before it. That is how this 404 Page looks—a game simulation.
Check out 404 Planet by AQR Studio. You can edit all elements with Adobe Illustrator. Before releasing the final touch, you can check out the PNG File Preview to make sure all designs are just like how you have planned them to be – all from A to Z.
By Taras Migulko
A 404 Page does not have to appear gloomy. Taras Migulko gives a more cheerful example of the error page. Sunset in the background with funny, colorful characters running around can still liven up your spirit.
In AQR Studio, you can check out Sunset – Creative Animated 404 Page. The retina design and simple animations can make the 404 Page look more beautiful. It is something to remind you not to give up. A 404 Page is not the end of the world.
Confused Animation By Yup Nguyen
It is common to have any 404 Page met with confusion. Yup Nguyen is one of the creators who could come up with an animation to vocalize that. From the way the animated builders work around the number 404, it seems that nobody is really certain about what is happening when we stumbled upon the 404 Page.
If you look at some samples of stock videos on AQR Studio, you can see it is also possible to create something like that. For example, a video of a human hand writing the word ‘404’ above the already written word ‘error’ on an old-fashioned blackboard, using old-fashioned white chalk. You can also create the words ‘404 Page’ inside a rectangular with other moving shapes surrounding it.
The Conclusion
Stumbling upon a 404 Page can be so daunting. Whether it is work-related or just for fun, nobody wants to see it. Many usually skip that and start searching for other websites or pages that are more accessible.
However, this does not mean you cannot make your 404 Pages look special and more memorable. As a website creator, you do not want to lose customers or visitors. In some cases, anything bad can happen to our sites. It is often inevitable.
Still, we would like our visitors to stay and be patient. One way to encourage that (while getting our sites fixed as soon as possible) is to deliver them our reassuring words that we will be with them shortly. Meanwhile, enjoy the view on our 404 Page.
