How to create a custom 404 page in Showit

Quick answer

For Showit sites without a blog, create a new blank page named exactly '404' and publish. For Showit blog subscriptions, create a blank Blog Template named 'WordPress 404' and set its WordPress Template to 404 in the Properties Panel.

How to fix it in Showit

1. Option A — Custom 404 page for sites without a blog.

2. In the Showit Design App, go to the Site panel on the left

3. Click the + icon next to Pages and select Add Blank Page

4. Name the page exactly: 404 — the name must be exactly this for Showit to recognise it as your error page

5. Design the page with a custom message, your branding, and a clear link or button back to your homepage

6. Publish your site — Showit will automatically use this page whenever someone visits an invalid URL on your site

7. Note: this method only applies to Showit users who do not have a blog subscription. If you have a Blog Tier subscription, use Option B instead.

8. Option B — Custom 404 page for Showit blog subscriptions.

9. In the Site panel on the left, find Blog Templates

10. Click the + icon to the left of Blog Templates and select Add Blank Blog Template

11. Name the template: WordPress 404

12. Click on the WordPress 404 template name to open it

13. In the right side Properties Panel, go to the Template Info tab

14. Set the WordPress Template to 404

15. Design the page with a custom message, your branding, and navigation back to your homepage

16. Publish your site

17. Run a fresh scan in FastaSEO to confirm your 404 page is now detected

What's the issue

A 404 error happens when a browser requests a page that doesn't exist on your site. Without a custom 404 page, visitors see a plain browser error with no way to navigate back. A custom 404 page lets you add a helpful message and a link back to your homepage — keeping the visitor on your site rather than losing them to the back button.

Showit has two different types of 404 pages depending on your subscription: one for your main site design, and one for your blog if you have a blog tier subscription.

Why it matters

• A custom 404 page is part of a complete, professional website. When visitors land on a broken link — whether from an old social media post, a Google result pointing to a deleted page, or a mistyped URL — a well-designed 404 page keeps them engaged and gives them a clear path back to your site. Without one, they hit a dead end and leave. A 404 page with your branding and a link to your homepage converts a frustrating experience into a recoverable one.

What good looks like

A branded 404 page that matches your site design. Includes a clear message explaining the page couldn't be found, and a button or link back to your homepage. FastaSEO confirms the 404 page is detected.

How long this takes

Creating and designing a custom 404 page in Showit takes around 10 minutes.