When browsing the web, encountering a 404 page is inevitable. This common yet frustrating error presents a unique opportunity for websites to showcase their unique personality and humor. With this article, On Digitals will present you 40 prime examples for a funny and engaging 404 page.
A 404 page is what users see when attempting to visit a URL not on the server. It goes by many names, with common ones being error page or “page not found” page.
Its role is to inform users that their requested page is unavailable, either because it has been removed or renamed, or the URL is incorrect.
While a simple notice will get the job done, you can take advantage of this to improve user experience. A well-designed page can turn a disappointing experience into an engaging and memorable one for the user.
As stated above, running into a 404 page is an extremely common occurrence. Here are the four main reasons why you may find yourself looking at an error page:
Technically, users coming face to face with a 404 page is a negative experience. That means they do not find what they want from your site.
This is where you turn setbacks into opportunities. Since users cannot find what they need, you should give them something to encourage them to stay. A captivating 404 page can turn a negative user experience into a positive one, fostering brand loyalty and engagement. These are the benefits:
As you learn about the benefits of a 404 page, you may be inclined to make one yourself. Before you do, ask yourself what you want to include and how to express your brand identity. If you are searching for inspiration, check out these 404 page examples from the biggest brands in the world.
Disney is the owner of some of the most recognizable characters in pop culture. From that diverse selection, they opt for their hit film “Ralph Breaks The Internet” for a witty reference. Lastly, they include a search bar with another character from the movie to help users get back on track.
The largest streaming service has a huge library, but you may not find what you want to watch. In that case, you will see their 404 page that encourages you to explore further with a Homepage button. They also take the chance to promote one of their main shows, “Lost in Space.”
The 404 page of Marvel’s website is a treat for the rapidly growing superhero fandom. You can find images of your favorite Marvel heroes with a message suggesting several solutions for your problem. For example, this image of a dilapidated Iron Man suit can encourage loyal fans to stay on the site.
Pixar’s 404 page is heartwarming, just like their movies. On their 404 page, you will see a picture of Sadness from the movie “Inside out” and an adorable message. This simple design serves its purpose while showcasing a popular product of the brand.
Drift also chooses a simple design. The number 404 is displayed prominently in the center of the screen with multiple hyperlinks to other pages attached below. However, they still managed to communicate their brand identity with a smart pun about their main focus, conversations.
A lot of people love dogs, and Help Scout is fully aware of this fact. They incorporated these four-legged friends into their 404 page to put a smile on people’s faces and improve user experience. Aside from showcasing your brand, using something universally loved can also be effective.
The home decor website takes full advantage of their 404 page by displaying their brand identity, personality, and content. They start with a funny joke about washi tape, a common product in their field, and include notable posts right below to keep users engaged.
This is another example of pages that utilize the cuteness of dogs. This time, CoSchedule uses a GIF with a light-hearted caption. Also, they most certainly did not forget to include hyperlinks to their Homepage and Blog.
As a social media marketing tool, Sprout Social understands how fast people move on the Internet. This is why they included almost everything possible in their 404 page. They have a witty statement, multiple hyperlinks, a free trial prompt, and their newsletter.
Including dogs in a 404 page is an example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” ConvertKit is another website that has these beloved animals on their error page with a Homepage button. However, they set themselves apart by using a picture of one of their member’s dogs.
ScreamingFrog is a software that focuses on repairing broken links. The brand makes a little joke about themselves, telling the users what they work on. They also provide a few solutions on a background of an empty pond, where a frog should be.
It helps when your brand has a mascot, as it can be your virtual spokesperson. If you see a 404 page, Roger the robot of Moz will be there with a search bar to get you back on track. This is a simple concept, but only if you have designed a mascot beforehand.
BigCommerce employs the familiar elements that you have seen on multiple 404 pages. Yet, they still manage to distinguish themselves apart from other businesses by designing a unique outer space graphic. Sometimes, a well-designed 404 page is all you need.
Speaking of a great 404 page design, Kinsta has a creative one with an explorer finding a “404” wall. As they are a WordPress hosting company, this page is a fun visualization of users encountering this error. Most importantly, they include hyperlinks to their main page and contact information.
One of the most successful Lego products ever is their movie “The Lego Movie”. Knowing that, the company has included the main character and a song lyric from the movie into their 404 page.
Slack goes above and beyond for their 404 page, creating an impressive design to improve user experience. This moving graphic will slowly scroll as you stay on the page. As an added bonus, it also stops scrolling then turns black and white when you switch tabs.
Mailchimp uses two highly effective elements for a 404 page: humor and animals. The page sees an animal sticking its neck down a hole to search for the presumably lost page that you searched for. It is a fun little joke that lights up the mood for users.
Okta’s 404 page is rather basic, but they managed to get their point across effectively. Since their business is about identity management, they do not really need to showcase creativity or showmanship.
As the official website of the magical world of Harry Potter, Wizarding World offers users a trip into that world. Naturally, the 404 page includes a scene from the movies alongside a quote telling users what happened.
The 404 page of Southwest includes a cheeky notice for users and a graphic of a moving baton. Leaning into the aircraft theme means staying true to their brand and Southwest did a tremendous job with that.
9GAG’s community is all about memes and that is exactly what is on their 404 page. A combination of two classic memes will surely resonate with their niched users. Also, instead of redirecting users to anywhere else on the website, they decide to opt for their app.
Though it seems like another cyberspace reference, Flywheel has a very witty approach to their 404 page. They use the image of a wormhole sucking the page into oblivion and pair it with “Holey moley! This really sucks.” to sell the pun. Furthermore, the wormhole is spinning, much like a flywheel.
Magnt did a great job poking fun at the nature of 404 pages. Instead of quirky illustrations, they choose a simple Venn diagram showing two common reasons for a 404 error. It is extremely simple but highly memorable and relatable for users.
Dribbble is a platform where creativity thrives, so one would expect their 404 page to include something creative. The page is basically like a digital exhibition. It allows you to drag the dot under the huge 404 number to see designs of different color schemes. This is a very effective way to showcase multiple works, despite users not able to find a page.
This is another instance of being relatable goes a long way. The casual tone of the light-hearted statement creates a sense of friendliness. This 404 page allows Overflow to communicate their brand image effectively.
Wendy’s have created quite a reputation for themselves on the Internet. From the roast tweets to their menu items, they have a tendency to be a bit over-the-top. Their 404 page is no exception. Instead of a cute design or a snarky quote, they make an interactive 8-bit game.
Red Bull’s brand is about energy and power, and nothing displays power better than actual people doing sports. No need for witty jokes or intricate designs, Red Bull includes videos of the latest highlights from their sports teams.
Much like Disney or Marvel, Blizzard have a collection of characters at their disposal. This is why they went with a no-brainer method and included one of their best-known characters, Murloc, to guide you from a 404 page.
As a gear and clothing company, Backcountry needs to let users know what they sell. In their 404 page, they include a list of products alongside a button to redirect users back to the Homepage. With that, users can see the range of products offered even if they decide to exit the site immediately.
The real estate site, Zillow, opts for a homey and cozy route. Aside from a simple Homepage button, they include a short graphic of a cat pushing a vase off a table.
Tax season is tiring for many people, and H&R Block fully understands that. Their 404 page provides all the helpful resources to help users find information effectively. This is a case where there is no need for a cool design or anything of the sorts.
KonMari’s minimalist 404 page keeps things organized, offering users a statement that goes in line with their brand image. As a brand that embraces positivity, their error page does a great job getting their message across.
Mantra Labs’ 404 page has a major difference from the rest. The space reference and Homepage button are pretty standard, but they also have a countdown clock. When this timer elapses, you will be automatically redirected to their Homepage, saving you valuable time.
Ready to go survival chooses an extremely popular pop culture phenomenon, the Matrix. This long-standing franchise has a loyal following and can easily be recognized anywhere. For their 404 page, they choose the symbolic red pill blue pill scene to present a choice for the users.
Based on what you have seen from the previous examples, you are probably expecting something about cars. If you are, you are absolutely right. However, Carwow takes it a step further and makes an interactive game similar to Google’s no Internet dinosaur game.
As a creative agency, Ueno puts a lot of effort into creating a funny and captivating 404 page. In fact, they do not use any strategy that you have not seen from the examples above. There is a collection of jokes alongside a looping graphic of a hot dog running.
The 404 page of Gymbox is as straightforward as it can be. It has a GIF of an 80’s gym with crop tops and short shorts, creating a feeling of nostalgia. If there is something more effective in attracting users than pop culture and animals, nostalgia is definitely it.
On the surface, this 404 page is too simple for this list. However, Purée Maison has maintained a theme for their entire website, which is a string of yellow animations. Before the error message, you will see the yellow character bumping into walls, a great visualization of encountering 404 errors.
20th Century Studios have produced many iconic movies and they went with one of their best. The 404 page has a still from the 1974 film “Young Frankenstein” with the latest movie recommendations under the photo.
Lazy Oaf’s image is all about the casual and laid-back vibes of streetwear and that reflects on their 404 page. The page includes a few jokes about potential problems, funny images, and a rather peculiar font for the word “error.”
A well-designed 404 page is an opportunity to make a memorable impression on your website visitors. With creativity, humor, and brand personality, your 404 page can transform a negative experience into a positive one for your audience. Remember to make it user-friendly by providing redirection options and helpful resources.
Looking to improve your website design? On Digitals can provide a helping hand with our Web Design services. Contact On Digitals to learn more about our services and how we can help you expand your online presence.
