404 Handling

15-30 minBeginner

Configure custom 404 pages and monitor broken links to improve user experience and SEO. A well-designed 404 page helps retain visitors and signals quality to search engines.

Prerequisites

  • Admin access to Magento backend
  • Access to theme files for customization
Beginner

Configure CMS 404 Page

Set up the default 404 page in Magento admin.

1

Access CMS Pages

1

Go to Content > Elements > Pages

2

Find '404 Not Found' page or create a new one

2

Customize Content

1

Add helpful content: search bar, popular categories, contact link

2

Include a clear message that the page wasn't found

3

Add internal links to guide users back to active pages

3

Set as Default 404

1

Go to Stores > Configuration > General > Web

2

Under 'Default Pages', set 'CMS No Route Page' to your 404 page

Verification Checklist

Pro Tips

  • Never redirect all 404s to homepage - this is seen as a soft 404
  • Log 404 hits server-side to identify recurring broken link sources
  • Include site search on 404 page to help users find content

Common Issues & Fixes

Problem:
Solution: Check server config - ensure CMS page doesn't override HTTP status