An error message is a HTTP response indicating that the web hosting server is responding but could not find what was requested. Usually you will see this result after clicking on a broken or dead link, which is why you see “404 Not Found” messages the most.

Having an interesting error page is a clever way of communicating to your visitors. There are endlessly creative ways to utilize your 404 error pages. We use our 404 error page to give HostDime customers a sweet deal.

What are you waiting for? Change your boring error page into something interesting in just a few simple steps. Then take a look at some creative pages to invent your own idea.

All HostDime accounts come with free cPanel, so let’s use cPanel as the example.

Log into your cPanel account. Click on the “Error Pages” option under the Advanced section. Select the domain you want to set up. You will then see the following:

Click one of the common error page options to begin editing. Insert your HTML code in the edit box and watch your creative error page come to life.

NotFound.org is a service that will replace your error page with a picture of a missing person. Not only are you maximizing the error page but you are helping the families of missing people at the same time.

If you screw up your request over at Blue Foundation Media, you can play a few games of Pacman!

SEO firm Whitespark is so committed to meeting expectations that they will fire an employee for you!

Golf ball and club supplier Titleist has a humorous error page that all golfers understand. When coming up with a creative error page, consider staying on topic to continue promoting your brand.

Include your favorite 404 error page or one you created in the comments below!

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Jared Smith is HostDime’s Content Strategist. Follow him on Twitter.