When someone follows a broken link they see an error page. A custom page that matches your site and points them somewhere useful keeps them from leaving.
Create a custom error page in cPanel
- Log in to cPanel and open Error Pages under Advanced.
- Choose the domain.
- Click the error you want to change, for example 404 (Not found).
- Write the page in the editor. Plain text works, and you can use HTML for your own layout and colours.
- Click Save.
- Test it by opening an address that does not exist, such as yourdomain.co.zw/test-missing-page.
What a good 404 page says
- A plain message: "Sorry, we could not find that page."
- A link to your home page and to your most important pages.
- Your phone or WhatsApp number.
WordPress sites
WordPress shows its own 404 page from your theme, so the cPanel page is not used for missing posts and pages. Edit the theme's 404 template, or use your page builder's 404 setting.
Fix the cause as well
If a page has moved, send visitors and Google to the new address with a 301 redirect instead of leaving a 404.
Related guides
Need a hand?
WhatsApp us on +263 78 377 1089, email support@jometechafrica.com or open a support ticket. Our Harare team is available Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, and Saturday, 08:00 to 13:00.
