How to Use .htaccess to Display Errors?
Is your website displaying generic error messages that leave your visitors confused? Learning how to use .htaccess file is a powerful way to take control of your website's error pages. By creating custom error pages, you can provide a more informative and user-friendly experience for your visitors, even when things go wrong. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of using .htaccess files to display informative error messages and improve your website's overall user experience.
.hatccess files are frequently used to set up password protection for specific directories. If you are on a Windows-based platform or are not familiar with .htaccess files, you can use the Password Protection feature offered in the Hosting Control Panel.
.htaccess files are also used for the following:
- Error Pages
- Redirects
- Restricting Access
- Changes made directly to a .htaccess file used for password protection will not be reflected in the Password Protection section of the Hosting Control Panel.
- You must upload .htaccess files in ASCII mode, not binary mode, and the permissions must be set at 644 (rw-r--r--).
- .htaccess files affect the directory they are placed in and all subdirectories.
In this article, we will discuss:
How Do I Use .htaccess to Display Errors?
Custom error pages provide additional information to visitors and maintain the look and feel of your website.
Some of the more common customized error pages include the following:
| 206 Partial Content | 301 Document moved Permanently |
| 302 Document found elsewhere | 400 Bad request |
| 401 Authorization required | 403 Access forbidden |
| 404 Document not found | 408 Request timeout |
| 500 Internal server error | 501 Request type not supported |
When you create the custom error page, please consider the following common situations:
- Main navigation links
- A brief explanation of the error
- Contact information, for example, email link to the Webmaster
- Site map or search function for the rest of your website
- Hyperlink to the page if the page has been moved
Save the custom error pages to your root directory. Once you have created your custom error pages, you can use the .htaccess file to activate these pages.
Follow the steps below to activate the web pages:
- Access the main root directory of your website and look for the .htaccess file. If the file exists, you will need to edit it. If the files does not exist, you will need to create one using a basic text editor, such as NotePad.
Note: The file name should be only .htaccess. If NotePad adds an extension to the name, you will need to remove it.
- Add or edit the following line:
- ErrorDocument 404 /error404.html
- Specify the error code, followed by a space, then the path and filename of the .html customized error file you would like to display when the specified error is generated. Using these error codes, your .htaccess file will appear as the following:
- ErrorDocument 206 /error206.html
- ErrorDocument 301 /error301.html
- ErrorDocument 400 /error400.html
- ErrorDocument 403 /error403.html
- ErrorDocument 500 /error500.html
- Save the .htaccess file in the domain root directory where the customized errror pages are located.
Success! You have now set up your custom error pages.
Review
Learning how to create custom error pages using .htaccess files can significantly improve the user experience of your website by displaying clear and informative messages during mishaps. This elevates your website's brand image and ensures that visitors remain engaged even when presented with technical difficulties. Our guide provides simple steps to implement these user-friendly error messages, which will help to ensure a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.