HTTP error messages for IU websites

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Best practice

All IU websites should use custom error pages for HTTP errors. If visitors see a generic error page, they are likely to leave the site. However, if they see an error page with easy-to-understand instructions tailored to your website, they will be able to follow the instructions provided to find the information they're looking for or complete the task they're trying to carry out.

IU Web Framework note: The IU Web Framework sites meet this standard by default. It has a built-in custom error pages for 400, 401, 403, and 500 errors.

Policy

There is no current IU policy requiring error messages.

Explanation

Default HTTP error pages show only technical information and don't provide the user with specific instructions on how to move on. If you want your website to achieve its purpose, then a helpful message may be the difference between a visitor continuing to use your website or giving up.

More information

This is document auem in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2023-07-17 14:53:58.