How to handle 404 errors and redirects in Webflow?

@mabelle 

Handling 404 errors and setting up redirects in Webflow can be managed through a few steps. Here's how you can approach both:

Handling 404 Errors

1. Create a Custom 404 Page: Go to the Pages panel in the Webflow Designer. Under the "Utility Pages" section, you’ll find the 404 page. You can style this page like any other page, adding text, images, or links to guide your visitors back to your site's main areas. Customize the message to be helpful and include navigation that points users back to the home page or other key areas of your website.
2. Publish the Site: Ensure you publish your website after making changes to the 404 page. This will make sure the custom 404 page is live.

Setting Up Redirects

1. Access Project Settings: From the Webflow dashboard, select the project you want to manage and enter the “Project Settings.”
2. Navigate to the Hosting Tab: Once in Project Settings, click on the "Hosting" tab. This is where you'll find options for managing redirects.
3. Set Up 301 Redirects: Scroll down to the "301 Redirects" section. Enter the old URL path in the "Old Path" field, starting with a slash (e.g., /old-page). Enter the new URL path to which you want to redirect in the "New Path" field (e.g., /new-page). Click the "Add Redirect Path" button to save your redirect.
4. Recommended Practices: Use redirects for changed or removed pages to maintain SEO value and improve user experience. Test your redirects to ensure they work as expected, using incognito mode or a different browser helps avoid cached results.
5. Publish Your Changes: Finally, after setting up your redirects, re-publish your site to make sure the changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage 404 errors and redirects in Webflow, enhancing both the user experience and the SEO performance of your site.