Search Engine Optimization Tip #9

Posted by Chris

June 20, 2007

Create Custom Error Pages

The absolute last thing you want to do is lead your visitor into a dead end. You should always provide them at least one link back to the homepage of your web site. However, most webmasters forget this rule of thumb in regards to their error handling. If a visitor accidentally stumbles into a section that does not exist anymore, their browser’s default “Page Not Found” message gives them no way to get back into the content of your site. Same thing goes for the “Internal Server Error” message.

However, it is very easy to set up custom error pages that have the same look and feel as the rest of your site. They will help keep visitors and therefore search engine spiders from reaching a dead end in your site and leaving.