Having a well-designed 404 page is crucial for any website. When visitors encounter a broken link or mistype a URL, they should be directed to a custom 404 page instead of seeing a generic error message. In this tutorial, I’ll will guide you through the process of creating a professional 404 page for your Squarespace website, ensuring that you don't lose valuable website traffic.

Step 1: Creating the 404 Page

To begin, navigate to the "Pages" section of your Squarespace website and under the "Not Linked" section, click on "+” and add a New Page. Choose the "Blank Page" option. Name the page "404 Page" and ensure that the URL slug reads "404-page" for easy identification. Under the SEO settings, you can hide this page from search results to prevent it from appearing in organic search listings.

Step 2: Designing the 404 Page

Go into “edit mode” on the 404 page you just created. Start by adding a blank section and give it a suitable background colour that complements your website's theme. Experiment with different colours to find the one that works well with the page. Next, add a text block to the section and craft a message that informs visitors that the page they're looking for doesn't exist. For example, you can write something like, "Oops! This page doesn't seem to exist anymore, but here's how you can get back to the home page." Choose an appropriate heading font and format the text accordingly.

Feel free to get creative with your 404 page by adding images, illustrations, or other elements that align with your website's aesthetics. The goal is to make the page visually appealing and engaging while conveying the necessary information.

Step 3: Adding a Button and Linking to the Home Page

To help visitors navigate back to your home page, add a button to the 404 page. Label the button as "Back to Home Page" or a similar variation, and link your button to your home page.

Adjust the section size if needed to optimize the layout and ensure the elements are visually balanced. Remember to switch to the mobile view to confirm that the page is responsive and looks good on smaller screens.

Step 4: Saving and Configuring the 404 Page

Once you are satisfied with the design of your 404 page, click on "Save." Now, it's time to instruct Squarespace to use your custom 404 page when visitors encounter broken links.

Return to the home screen and navigate to "Design" and then "404 Page." By default, Squarespace provides a generic 404 page, but you can select your newly created 404 page from the dropdown menu. Remember to click "Save" to apply the changes.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a professional 404 page for your Squarespace website. With this custom page in place, visitors who encounter broken links or mistyped URLs will be seamlessly redirected to your 404 page, allowing you to retain their interest and guide them back to your home page. By providing a user-friendly experience, you can ensure that you don't lose any potential website traffic.

Remember, your 404 page doesn't have to be static. Feel free to update and enhance it over time, adding relevant information, images, or even interactive elements to further engage your visitors.