The 404 page appears when a visitor tries to open a page that does not exist or is no longer available. A clear, branded 404 page helps visitors understand what went wrong and guides them back to useful content instead of abandoning your site.
Follow these steps to create and assign your custom 404 page:
Edit your current template so it supports a dedicated 404 page layout or design.
Go to your Pages area and choose the option to add a 404 page from the list of available page types.
How to manage your 404 page
After the first setup, you can manage and improve your 404 page at any time:
Return to your Pages section, open the 404 page, and adjust the text, images, or layout to match current branding and navigation.
Page Title
The Page Title is the text shown in the browser tab when the 404 page loads. Use a descriptive, branded title such as “Page is Not Found | Your Brand” so users immediately understand they hit an error but are still on your site.
Menu Title
The Menu Title is the label that appears if you choose to add the 404 page to your site’s navigation menu. Keep it short and clear (for example, “404 Error” or “Page Not Found”) so internal users and admins can easily identify it.
Featured Image
The Featured Image is the preview image used when the 404 page is shared on social media or appears in certain search result layouts. Choose an image that matches your brand (logo or simple illustration) and avoids confusion, since users may see it as a representation of your site.
Meta Name
The Meta Name is the title metadata used by social networks and some platforms when your 404 page is shared. Use a short, human-readable title like “Page not found – helpful links inside” to reassure users that they will get guidance on the page.
Meta Description
The Meta Description is a short summary that helps search engines understand what the 404 page offers. A good description explains that the page informs users the content is missing and provides links or search options to help them continue.
Meta Keywords
Meta Keywords are optional tags describing the content of the page, such as “404, page not found, error page, missing page.” Modern search engines rely less on these tags, but adding a few relevant terms can still help keep your metadata consistent and organized.
For best results in Intercom-powered support flows and AI answers, make sure your 404 page includes:
A short, friendly message explaining that the page cannot be found
Clear links to key pages (Home, Help Center, Contact)
Optional search bar or CTA to keep users exploring your site
A thoughtful 404 page can reduce bounce rates and improve visitor retention by offering easy navigation options and a consistent brand experience. Optimizing its metadata also ensures that even this fallback page contributes positively to your site’s SEO performance.