When a visitor lands on a page that doesn’t exist or triggers an access error on your website, they’re usually greeted with a generic, unfriendly error message like:

• 404 Not Found

• 403 Forbidden

• 500 Internal Server Error

These default pages look unprofessional and can confuse users. But the good news is that if you’re using cPanel, you can easily replace these with custom error pages even without touching code.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create and assign beautiful, branded error pages that match your site’s look and guide visitors back to useful content.

Why Create Custom Error Pages?

Custom error pages can:

• Maintain your brand look even during errors

• Offer helpful links like “Return to Home” or “Search”

• Reduce bounce rates by guiding users instead of showing a dead end

• Look more professional than the default server error messages

Step-by-Step Guide to Create Custom Error Pages in cPanel

Step 1: Log In to cPanel

You can log into your hosting account at:

Use the credentials your hosting provider gave you. Once inside, scroll down to the “Advanced” section.

Step 2: Find the “Error Pages” Tool

In cPanel:

1. Click on “Error Pages”

2. Select the domain (if you have more than one on the account)

3. You’ll see a list of common HTTP error codes you can customize:

   • 400 (Bad Request)

   • 401 (Unauthorized)

   • 403 (Forbidden)

   • 404 (Not Found)

   • 500 (Internal Server Error)

Click on the error code you want to customize (e.g., 404).

Step 3: Create a Custom Error Page

cPanel provides an HTML editor where you can type or paste code for the custom error page.

You can include:

• Text: “Oops! Page Not Found”

• HTML: Use <h1>, <p>, <a href="/">Return Home</a>

• Images: Add your logo or graphics

• JavaScript or CSS (optional)

Example for a 404 error page:

Click Save once you’re done.

Repeat for other codes like 403 or 500 if needed.

Alternative Method: Upload a Static Error Page

If you prefer designing pages in software like Adobe XD or exporting HTML files, you can upload custom-designed pages instead of using cPanel’s editor.

How to do it:

1. Use File Manager in cPanel

2. Navigate to your domain root (e.g., public_html)

3. Upload your custom HTML pages as:

   • 404.html

   • 403.html

   • 500.html

4. Then, edit your .htaccess file (found in public_html) and add:

This tells the server to serve your custom file for each error type.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to test each error by visiting an invalid URL to see your page in action.

How to Style Your Error Pages for Better UX

Use the following best practices:

• Add a “Back to Home” link or button

• Offer a site search box to help users find what they want

• Use clear messaging like “Oops! We can’t find that page”

• Keep your tone friendly and human

• Match your branding (colors, logo, font)

Testing Your Custom Error Pages

Test each error code:

• 404 Error: Visit https://yourdomain.com/nonexistentpage

• 403 Error: Try accessing a restricted folder or file

• 500 Error: Temporarily rename your .htaccess to simulate a server error

Check if the correct custom page is shown for each situation.

Troubleshooting

Conclusion

Custom error pages don’t just make your site look professional they guide lost visitors and keep them engaged. Whether you use the built-in editor or upload your own HTML pages, cPanel gives you the tools to personalize these pages easily.
By setting up custom 404, 403, and 500 error pages, you turn unexpected issues into opportunities to connect with your audience all without writing a single line of server code.
If you’re ever unsure, our hosting provider support team can help double-check your .htaccess or file locations.