Understanding and Customizing cPanel Error Pages Print

Understanding and Customizing Error Pages on Your Website

**Error pages** are specially designed web pages displayed to a site visitor when their attempt to access a specific location or resource on your website results in a server-side error. These pages provide essential feedback to the user, explaining why the requested content could not be delivered.

Common HTTP Error Status Codes

While numerous error codes exist, the following are the most frequently encountered HTTP status errors a user might experience:

• 301 Moved Permanently: This code indicates that the specific page or resource requested has been permanently relocated to a new URL. Browsers and search engines should use the new address for future requests.
• 401 Unauthorized: This error is returned when a user attempts to access a file or directory that requires **authentication**, and the user has failed to provide valid credentials (like a username and password).
• 404 Not Found: This is the most common error. It means the server could not locate the file or resource corresponding to the URL entered. This is often caused by a **broken link** or a **mistyped URL**.
• 500 Internal Server Error: This is a generic server-side error, typically indicating a problem with the **website's programming** or configuration, such as a malfunctioning script or incorrect permissions.

Customizing Your Error Pages

By default, your server displays a generic, standard error page. However, you can significantly enhance the user experience by replacing these defaults with **custom error pages**. A custom page allows you to maintain your site's branding and provide helpful links to guide the user back to functioning parts of your site.