{"id":62708,"date":"2024-03-12T03:04:15","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T07:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/?p=62708"},"modified":"2024-03-12T12:28:12","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T16:28:12","slug":"state-government-404-file-not-found-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","title":{"rendered":"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most important digital services a state government can provide is a website that\u2019s resourceful and easy to use. But no matter how well constructed a website is, as files get moved and updated, there\u2019s always the possibility a user will land on a missing page and get a \u201c404 Not Found\u201d error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because a web browser\u2019s default 404 error can be jarring or confusing for users, it\u2019s become common practice for user-conscious organizations to create a custom error page that provides instructions on what to do next. The internet\u2019s metaphorical dead end also provides an opportunity for web designers to show off their creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But 404 pages are not only an opportunity to express originality \u2014 they are also a necessary facet of website design. Kirsten Wyatt, senior director of the Digital Service Network at the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown University, told StateScoop that 404 pages are crucial for accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell-designed 404 pages successfully guide users out of a dead end and to their desired location on a website, which results in a less frustrating and time consuming online experience,\u201d Wyatt told StateScoop in an email. \u201cKey elements to a well designed 404 page include plain language, calls to action to engage with a search field or popular links, and a reassuring look and feel consistent with the organization’s theme. It is also important to conduct regular user experience audits to find and address broken links – this will decrease the chance of a user reaching a 404 in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

StateScoop looked at every state\u2019s 404 webpage to find those that highlighted the importance of original design and accessibility on the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, Delaware\u2019s 404 page appears to be nothing special. But then it hits you\u2026 Delawhere? We\u2019d be disappointed if the state had not leaned into this brilliant pun, which was quite literally made for a 404 page. We also deeply admire their ability to not-so-humbly insert that they were the first state into the page as well. This page also offers links below to help the user find what they\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This 404 page, which lets you know \u2018There must bee something wrong,\u2019 makes getting lost on Arkansas\u2019 website a pleasant experience. Bee-tween the bees \u2014 which is the official state insect of Arkansas \u2014 the punniness and the approachable font, this 404 page has it all. The user can also appreciate the large font used for the 404, which ensures they know exactly where they\u2019ve wound up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaska<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alaska\u2019s 404 page is not unique from the rest of its website in the way that other states\u2019 404 pages are \u2014 no fun artwork to make it a noteworthy, standalone page. However, it does add a bit of charm with the polite, albeit lengthy phrasing: \u201cPlease excuse the difficulty in finding the information you seek. We strive to keep our websites consistent; however, occasionally content is re-organized in our efforts to improve the effectiveness of our websites.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Following a broken link on Hawaii\u2019s state website ends in lava, an apt motif for the Aloha State. The aesthetically pleasing backdrop image, paired with an \u201cOops\u201d and a congenial \u201cMahalo,\u201d encourages the user to keep searching on Hawaii\u2019s website. In addition to a link back to the website\u2019s main homepage, there\u2019s also some information about the image\u2019s photographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iowa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Iowa\u2019s 404 error page epitomizes Midwestern politeness and even offers the user flowers for the inconvenience of hitting a dead end. The page doesn\u2019t go for any gimmicks or puns like those used in some states, but maybe the flowers could provide a calming effect on irritated users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wisconsin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While finding a badger at a real dead end might not be the most pleasant experience, finding one on the 404 error page of Wisconsin\u2019s website is a nice surprise. Dubbed the Badger State, Wisconsin uses the American badger as its emblem and mascot for many of its sports teams. The animal lends panache to the simple, original design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is more quintessentially Texas than a pair of cowboy boots, and the state made sure that its 404 error page exemplified the Lone Star State\u2019s ten-gallon reputation. A simple and clean aesthetic, paired with the use of the word \u201cpartner,\u201d can make even a lost website user feel at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nebraska<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nebraska makes use of its simple 404 error page to show you exactly where you\u2019ve ended up on the state map, which is outside of the state\u2019s eastern border, which is carved out by the Missouri River \u2026 which means you\u2019ve ended up in the water. Hope you packed a life jacket!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sleek, modern and direct, Utah\u2019s 404 error page feels like a master class in design for function. Below the word \u201clost\u201d is a link back to the site\u2019s homepage. Also of note is the webpage\u2019s use of \u201cthe royal we\u201d to let users know that they\u2019re not alone or forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Out of all the states\u2019 404 error pages, Washington\u2019s is the only one that features an illustration of a mythological being. The addition of Bigfoot \u2014 whose legend has spawned continued reports of sightings all over the country, but particularly in the Pacific Northwest \u2014 delivers a whimsical element to go with helpful resource links. The state even takes accountability by confessing: \u201cWe messed up!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":62510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_grayscale_images":true,"grayscale_contrast":0,"sponsored_content":false,"display_author_bio":true,"story_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4677,20648],"tags":[62,134,167,5550,13703,24661,24662],"people":[],"special-report":[24660],"authors":[23807],"class_list":["post-62708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-state","category-digital-services","tag-websites","tag-government","tag-user-centered-design","tag-accessibility","tag-digital-services","tag-web-design","tag-24662","special-report-state-local-government-digital-services-2024","author-kquinlan"],"yoast_head":"\nThe underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"StateScoop\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StateScoop\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-03-12T07:04:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-03-12T16:28:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1300\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"712\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Keely Quinlan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@State_Scoop\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@State_Scoop\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/\",\"name\":\"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-12T07:04:15+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-03-12T16:28:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg\",\"width\":1300,\"height\":712,\"caption\":\"(Scoop News Group)\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/\",\"name\":\"StateScoop\",\"description\":\"Latest news and events in state and local government technology\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"StateScoop\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/StateScoop-Black.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/StateScoop-Black.png\",\"width\":1470,\"height\":186,\"caption\":\"StateScoop\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StateScoop\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/State_Scoop\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/statescoop\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@StateScoop\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop","description":"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop","og_description":"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.","og_url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","og_site_name":"StateScoop","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StateScoop\/","article_published_time":"2024-03-12T07:04:15+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-03-12T16:28:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1300,"height":712,"url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Keely Quinlan","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@State_Scoop","twitter_site":"@State_Scoop","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","name":"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages | StateScoop","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg","datePublished":"2024-03-12T07:04:15+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-12T16:28:12+00:00","description":"When users get lost on state government websites, a 404 page is the last stop before they possibly give up. Some designers are doing their best to prevent that.","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg","width":1300,"height":712,"caption":"(Scoop News Group)"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/","name":"StateScoop","description":"Latest news and events in state and local government technology","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#organization","name":"StateScoop","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/StateScoop-Black.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/StateScoop-Black.png","width":1470,"height":186,"caption":"StateScoop"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/StateScoop\/","https:\/\/x.com\/State_Scoop","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/statescoop\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@StateScoop"]}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages","url":"http:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/statescoop.com\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg"},"articleSection":"State","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Keely Quinlan","url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/author\/kquinlan\/"}],"creator":["Keely Quinlan"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"StateScoop","logo":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/cropped-ss_favicon.png"},"keywords":["404","accessibility","digital services","government","user-centered design","web design","websites"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-12T07:04:15Z","datePublished":"2024-03-12T07:04:15Z","dateModified":"2024-03-12T16:28:12Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"The underappreciated art of state government 404 webpages\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/state-government-404-file-not-found-design\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"State\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Keely Quinlan\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/author\\\/kquinlan\\\/\"}],\"creator\":[\"Keely Quinlan\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"StateScoop\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/statescoop.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/cropped-ss_favicon.png\"},\"keywords\":[\"404\",\"accessibility\",\"digital services\",\"government\",\"user-centered design\",\"web design\",\"websites\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2024-03-12T07:04:15Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-12T07:04:15Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-03-12T16:28:12Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/statescoop.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/03\/SS-Q1-03-2.jpg","distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"StateScoop","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/statescoop.com","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/133"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62708"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62759,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62708\/revisions\/62759"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62708"},{"taxonomy":"people","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/people?post=62708"},{"taxonomy":"special-report","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/special-report?post=62708"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/authors?post=62708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}