How to Monetize 404 Error Pages

Developing a plan to monetize 404 error pages is not something I would have ever thought of on my own. In fact, I’ve never really thought twice about my 404 error pages  – other than trying to avoid them whenever possible!

However, I recently signed up for my friend Denise O’Berry’s Passive Income Guide and in it, she  discusses how to monetize 404 error pages (and opt-in ‘Thank You’ pages). It struck me as a novel idea – and thought you might benefit from this tip, as well. I figure anything that can maximize our efforts online is worth a second look, anyway.

(By the way – if case you haven’t heard of Denise: She is a well-known small business expert and the author of the hard-copy book, Small Business Cash Flow: Strategies for Making Your Business a Financial Success. I met Denise about a year ago through Lynn Terry’s Elite Mastermind Group and had the chance to meet her in person at NAMS4 last January. If you have any interest in developing more passive income (um… who doesn’t? ) – you can sign up for her free series on this topic using the NON-affiliate link to her Passive Income Guide above).

There are a number of examples around the Web of cool customized 404 error pages (For example, check out this post from Smashing Magazine). However, none of the examples really focus on how to monetize them (with either affiliate links or your own products or services).

If coding isn’t your thing, there are a number of WordPress plugins available to help you customize your own 404 error pages. (Just do a Google search for “custom 404 error page wp plugin”). I use the Thesis theme for this (and all) my sites – LOVE IT! – and use the Thesis OpenHook plugin which allows you to customize your 404 pages, as well.

I’m working on mine right now – I am still tweaking what I want it to say and how I am going to monetize it – but will unveil it once I have it complete. (Taking ACTION on good ideas when you find them is a cornerstone of the upcoming 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge – so don’t forget to sign up below for updates!)

Til Next Time,

PS Would love to hear your thoughts on this tip – have you customized your error pages? How are they working for you? Leave a comment below!