How to Customise your Shopify Store - 404 Page

Customising the 404 error page on your Shopify store can help maintain a positive user experience even when visitors encounter broken links or missing pages. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

How to Customise Your Shopify Store's 404 Error Page

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Admin

1. Log in to your Shopify account.
2. Once logged in, you'll be directed to your Shopify admin dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Theme Editor

1. From the Shopify admin dashboard, go to "Online Store" and click on "Themes."
2. Locate your current theme and click the "Actions" button next to it.
3. Select "Edit code" from the dropdown menu to open the theme editor.

Step 3: Locate the 404 Error Page Template

1. In the theme editor, look for the "Templates" or "Sections" folder on the left-hand side.
2. Find the file named 404.liquid. This is the template that controls the 404 error page.

Step 4: Customise the 404 Error Page Template

1. Click on the 404.liquid file to open it.
2. Familiarise yourself with the existing code. This template includes HTML and Liquid code that defines the structure and appearance of the 404 error page.
3. Customise the template to match your brand’s style. You can:
   • Add a friendly and helpful message to inform visitors that the page they are looking for cannot be found.
   • Include your logo, brand colours, and fonts to maintain consistency with the rest of your site.
   • Add links to popular pages, such as your homepage, product categories, or contact page, to help visitors find what they are looking for.
   • Consider including a search bar so visitors can easily search for the content they need.
   • Add any relevant images or graphics to make the page visually appealing and engaging.
4. Ensure that any customisation does not interfere with the functionality of the page.

Step 5: Add Custom CSS (if needed)

1. If you need to make further style adjustments, you may need to add custom CSS.
2. In the theme editor, look for the "Assets" folder and find your CSS file (often named theme.scss.liquid or similar).
3. Add your custom CSS at the bottom of this file. For example, you might want to adjust the spacing, text styles, or background colours.
4. Save your changes.

Step 6: Preview and Test

1. After making your changes, click the "Save" button to save your modifications.
2. To ensure your customisations look as expected, navigate to a non-existent page on your store to trigger the 404 error page.
3. Verify that the layout, design, and functionality are all working correctly. Ensure that the message is clear and that visitors are easily able to navigate back to other parts of your site.

Step 7: Make Additional Adjustments (if necessary)

If you notice any issues or areas for improvement during testing, go back to the theme editor and make the necessary adjustments. Repeat the testing process until you are satisfied with the customisations.

Conclusion

Customising the 404 error page on your Shopify store helps create a seamless and branded experience for your visitors, even when they encounter errors. By following these steps, you can ensure that your 404 page is not only functional but also visually appealing and helpful, enhancing the overall user experience on your store.