Page not found pages

Use a page not found page (404 error) when someone tries to access a page that does not exist.

When users see this page

Users might see a 404 page because:

• they typed a URL incorrectly
• they followed an outdated or broken link
• the page has been moved or deleted
• search engines have indexed an old URL

How it works

A good 404 page should:

1. Clearly explain the page cannot be found
2. Avoid technical jargon like "404 error"
3. Suggest what users can do next
4. Provide useful links

Standard page not found

With search and navigation

For larger sites, include search and common links:

Service-specific 404

For a specific service, tailor the page to that context:

Page title

Set the page title to clearly indicate the error:

Page not found - GOV.KAHARAGIA

HTTP status code

Return the correct HTTP 404 status code so search engines know the page does not exist. This helps prevent outdated URLs from appearing in search results.

Tracking and monitoring

Track 404 errors to identify:

• broken internal links
• commonly mistyped URLs
• pages that need redirects
• external sites linking to old URLs

What not to do

• Don't show a generic or technical error message
• Don't just say "404 Not Found"
• Don't automatically redirect to the homepage
• Don't blame the user

Accessibility

• Use a clear heading
• Provide text alternatives to any navigation
• Ensure all links are keyboard accessible
• Use the standard page layout and header