What every 404 Error Document Should Have
Magus
Let's take a look at an often-overlooked area of design need in the page to which you send surfers when they try to access a page that does not exist. Ergo the 404 Error Document (and html page that YOU produce).
Those of you familiar with .htaccess know you can direct surfers anywhere you want when you set the conditions. For those that want more information on .htaccess, check the tutorials at VNWR.
A key thing to keep in mind is continuity. Your sites, galleries and fpas pretty much will have a common thread in how they are laid out, the colors used and the verbiage displayed. So consider using various 404 documents that reflect such design themes.
Make sure that you present the page with text that entices rather than repels. Avoid terms that indicate a mistake, such as 'lost', 'error', 'missing', etc. Do address the surfer's desires by noting that they are looking for specific genres and direct them to selecting a link that will answer the needs of the surfer.
Notice I said, 'the needs of the surfer'? Many people will tell you that surfers wants and desires lead to 'surfer friendly' designs. This is in fact true. but there are two types of 'surfer friendly' approaches.
The first is to offer the surfer exactly what they want, giving them everything they ask for and more so they are comfortable and likely to never visit a sponsor. The 'other' approach is to provide enticing links that 'guide' the surfer to where YOU want them to end up, all the while making the poor sod think it is their idea.
