Most Web users are familiar with the "404 error, file not found" screens that pop up on the screen when a Web server is unable to locate a page. The file may be missing because the author has moved or deleted it, or the reader may simply have typed or copied the URL of the page incorrectly. One mark of a really polished Web site is custom-designed and useful error and server message pages. Most standard error screens are generic, ugly, and uninformative. A well-designed error screen should be consistent with the graphic look and feel of the rest of the Web site. The page should offer some likely explanations for the error, suggest alternatives, and provide links to the local home page, site index, or search page:
[画像:Screen shot: Palm error page]SITE DESIGN
Organizing information
• "Chunking"
Site structure
• Basic information structures
• Site diagrams
Design themes
• Training
• Teaching
• Continuing education
• Reference
• Entertainment/magazines
• News
• E-commerce
Site elements
• Home pages
• Menus & subsites
• Resource lists
• Site guides
• "What's new?"
• Search
• Contact & feedback
• Bibliographies & appendixes
• FAQ pages
• Error pages
Internet versus intranet
• Design standards
References
Copyright 2002 Lynch and Horton
Send questions and comments to help@webstyleguide.com
Last updated 5 March 2004
