Comments on: Using a 404 Page as a Marketing Tactic http://www.centernetworks.com/pingdom-404-campaign Web 2 and Social Media News and Reviews Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:50:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jimmy http://www.centernetworks.com/pingdom-404-campaign/comment-page-#comment-14625 Jimmy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-14625 Nothin like a little hype. Smart move by pingdom. I do have to make a comment in regards to 404 pages in general. If someone sees a 404 on your page, it's a serious problem. 404s are dead ends and will get a previously existing page unlisted from search engines. When migrating a site to a new redesign, realign, etc, you should monitor your logs and apply a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTTP_status_codes#3xx_Redirection">301 Moved Permanent</a> status code, pointing the user to the correct page. Not only will this kill dead ends transparently to human users, but search engines will reindex the page and update the link. Death to the 404!! :) ------ Sincerely, The <a href="http://www.mentallyretired.com">Mentally Retired</a> mad scientist behind the <a href="http://www.wackylabs.com">WackyLabs LLC</a> movement. Nothin like a little hype. Smart move by pingdom.

I do have to make a comment in regards to 404 pages in general. If someone sees a 404 on your page, it’s a serious problem. 404s are dead ends and will get a previously existing page unlisted from search engines. When migrating a site to a new redesign, realign, etc, you should monitor your logs and apply a 301 Moved Permanent status code, pointing the user to the correct page. Not only will this kill dead ends transparently to human users, but search engines will reindex the page and update the link.

Death to the 404!! :)

——
Sincerely,

The Mentally Retired mad scientist behind the WackyLabs LLC movement.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.centernetworks.com/pingdom-404-campaign/comment-page-#comment-14873 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-14873 Sheesh, that's about the easiest way to lose customers I've seen in a long time. I doubt they would even have considered this if they knew the bounce rates of error pages. 404 = leave immediately for a large number of people. Still, I admire their optimism in thinking people are actually going to *read* their tiny text before making their minds up. I won't be trying that any time soon though... Sheesh, that’s about the easiest way to lose customers I’ve seen in a long time. I doubt they would even have considered this if they knew the bounce rates of error pages. 404 = leave immediately for a large number of people.

Still, I admire their optimism in thinking people are actually going to *read* their tiny text before making their minds up. I won’t be trying that any time soon though…

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