You are here > Web Design Tips > Web Usability > 7.3. Error Prevention and Recovery
Help users recover from an error by giving a precise description of what the error is, why it occured, and possible solutions for recovering from the error. Better still, prevent the error from occuring in the first place.
For example, make sure the links on your site aren't broken. In the event that your users find a missing page, provide a user-friendly "404 - File not found" error page, with help on how to find the missing page.
"404 - File not found" Redirection Advertising Services
Under no circumstances should you use a "404 - File not found" redirection advertising service in your site.
Your users are already frustrated when they don't find the page they are looking for. By redirecting them to another site, your users would be totally baffled. This is a good way of losing the visitor forever! It just isn't worth the extra cent or two that you make on the referral.
This clever advertising concept only benefits the service provider in the long run, not you, the site owner!
Did you know...
25% of visits to the top 100 Web sites end without a sale because of technical difficulties.
Source: Anderson Consulting
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