Creating a custom 404 page in GeneratePress Premium is a great way to turn a potentially frustrating experience into a positive one. By customizing your 404 page, you can maintain your brand’s personality and even turn lost visitors into potential customers. Here’s how to create a custom 404 page template using GeneratePress Premium.
Step 1: Preview the Default 404 Page
To get started, visit a URL on your site that doesn’t exist. This will bring up the default 404 page provided by GeneratePress. As you’ll see, it’s quite basic and doesn’t offer much to the user. We’ll customize this page to make it more engaging.
Step 2: Create a New Element
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Elements.
- Click “Add New Element” and select “Block”.
Title this element “404 Page Template.” On the right-hand side, under Element Type, select Content Template. This will ensure that your custom design replaces the default 404 page.
Step 3: Design the 404 Page
Now, let’s start designing the page. You can approach this like any other page design, using GenerateBlocks to create a layout that suits your brand.
- Insert a Container block and add an Inner Container block within it. This will help control the layout’s padding and structure.
- Set padding values for the outer container, such as 120px on top and 100px on the bottom, to create a spacious layout.
- Insert a Grid block and select a 50/50 layout for two equal columns.
Column 1: Text
- Insert a Headline block and type “404” as the title.
- Add another Headline block with the text “Oops! You’ve landed on a missing page.”
- Style the text as you see fit—set the title to H1, bold, and adjust the line height and font size to match your design.
- Insert a Button block below the headline with the text “Back to Home Page.” Customize the padding, border radius, and margin to make it stand out.
Column 2: Image
- Insert an Image block and upload an image that reflects the theme of your 404 page. For example, you might choose a playful image like an ice cream cone that’s fallen over to add some humor.
- Add a border radius to the image (e.g., 10px) to match the design style.
Step 4: Set the Location
Before publishing, make sure to set the location of this template to apply only to 404 pages:
- Scroll down to the Location settings in the Element Editor.
- Select “404 Template” from the dropdown list.
- Click Publish.
Step 5: Preview and Adjust for Responsiveness
Visit your 404 page by going to the same non-existent URL, and you should see your custom design in action.
Tablet and Mobile Adjustments
- Use the Customizer to check the design on all devices.
- Adjust padding and spacing as needed to ensure the page looks good on tablets and mobile devices. For example, you might add 40px of horizontal padding for mobile screens and adjust font sizes for better readability.
Conclusion
With GeneratePress Premium and the Elements feature, creating a custom 404 page is quick and easy. This page is a great opportunity to add some personality to your site and even guide lost visitors back to useful content. You could include a lead magnet, a link to your latest promotion, or just a fun image to lighten the mood. Whatever you choose, make sure your 404 page leaves a positive impression.
Take advantage of this simple customization to improve your website and keep visitors engaged, even when they land on the wrong page.
