404 Error Project Case Study
LA-UR-24-25152
404 Error Project Case Study
As the sole UI/UX designer on this project, working alongside one developer, I created these error page designs for the Los Alamos National Laboratory's external website. These pages would be displayed when a user encounters a non-existent or unavailable web page, guiding them back to a navigable section of the site.
Time: One Week
Tools Used: Figma, Microsoft Teams,Asana
My roles in this project included: UI/UX Designer
What is a 404 Error page?
A 404 error page is displayed when a user attempts to access a web page that doesn't exist or has been removed from the website. Despite being an error, the 404 page presents an opportunity to provide a good user experience and maintain engagement with your brand. Here are some reasons why it's important to design a simple and effective 404 error page, and some important things to consider when designing one:
1. User Experience: A well-designed 404 page can turn a frustrating experience into a positive one. Instead of leaving users confused or frustrated, a good 404 page should be easy to understand, provide clear instructions on what to do next, and potentially offer alternative pages or navigation options to help them find what they're looking for.
2. Brand Consistency: The 404 page is an extension of your website and brand. By keeping the design simple and consistent with your overall website's aesthetic, you maintain a cohesive brand experience even in the event of an error.
3. Reduce Bounce Rate: A poorly designed or generic 404 page can lead to a high bounce rate, as users may simply leave your website. A well-designed 404 page can encourage users to explore other areas of your site, reducing the bounce rate and potentially increasing engagement.
4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Search engines may crawl and index your 404 pages. By including relevant content and links on your 404 page, you can potentially improve your SEO and provide search engines with additional context about your website.
5. Accessibility: A simple and well-structured 404 page can be more accessible to users with disabilities or those using assistive technologies, ensuring that everyone can understand and navigate the error message effectively.
When designing a simple 404 error page, consider including elements such as:
A clear and concise error message explaining what happened (e.g., "Oops! The page you're looking for doesn't exist.").
A search bar or sitemap to help users find what they're looking for.
Links to popular or recommended pages on your website.
A link back to your homepage or main navigation.
A touch of humor or personality to make the experience more enjoyable (but avoid being too gimmicky or distracting).
By keeping the design simple, accessible, and focused on providing a positive user experience, 404 error pages can turn a potential negative situation into an opportunity to engage with your users and strengthen your brand.
LA-UR-24-25152
Los Alamos National Laboratory, an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, is operated by Triad National Security, LLC for the National Nuclear Security Administration of U.S. Department of Energy under contract 89233218CNA000001. By approving this article, the publisher recognizes that the U.S. Government retains nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce the published form of this contribution, or to allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. Los Alamos National Laboratory requests that the publisher identify this article as work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy. Los Alamos National Laboratory strongly supports academic freedom and a researcher's right to publish; as an institution, however, the Laboratory does not endorse the viewpoint of a publication or guarantee its technical correctness.