Custom Error Pages

For a page that no longer exists, the error page is tailored to your site and audience.

Overview

At times it is helpful to display an error page that is tailored to your website and audience. For example, when a visitor attempts to land on a page that no longer exists, they could get a '404 error' (no such page) that includes special instructions, high traffic links, or branding elements and contact details specific to your own site.

Custom error pages are developed by special request, and are installed for an entire virtual host; e.g. mgt.buffalo.edu. Sites under /content/www/ (www.buffalo.edu) will all use the general default page (see example below).

These error pages are installed on the Apache proxy server, rather than the UBCMS servers, so they cannot be maintained in the author environment like the rest of your website.

As you develop your page, please beware that future changes will require you to send us a new version and that we can install during normal maintenance windows. Do not include any content that will need to be changed quickly or frequently.

Creating a Custom Error Page

One way to approach this is to make your page in the UBCMS and then copy and adjust the source code (switch to View as Published then right-click and View Source). We will need the complete page, starting with <DOCTYPE…> or at least <html>.

You can start with the default error page if you want, though beware, the CSS in there is hard to change).

Just make sure what you send to us is self-contained e.g. as a text file. Image paths, links, etc, must start with https://.

You should be able to drag and drop this HTML file onto a browser and have it function correctly with all images displayed and links working correctly.

Once you are comfortable with the look of your page, and it works correctly as described above, create a folder with your custom HTML page and any assets (CSS, images, etc.) necessary to render it. Then package it up as a zip file and send it to us.

We will then load your file onto the UBCMS apache/dispatcher servers as a plain/static file and add the right config for that in Apache.

Please note, this will be a fixed file and you cannot take advantage of any of the dynamic features of the UBCMS. We can link out to external CSS, fonts, and images, and if you need to add additional CSS, that can be stored with your code.

Your page should also be checked for mobile-friendliness and accessibility, and if any of the content changes, you will need to send us an upodated version.