What is custom 404 page

Hi all can any body tell me what is custom 404 page and its function, difference between 404 page and custom 404 page. How i will create custom 404 page.
what is the code for custom 404 page and 404 page.

Please provide me right suggestion.

 

Custom 404 page is your own, unique error 404 page, designed specially for your website, usually with a link to your home page. When visitor click on old/broken link he will be directed to your custom 404 page. If your custom page has link to your home page chances that you will not lose your visitor are much higher. You can design it like every other html page and upload to your server. Check guidelines at your hosting company for uploading your custom 404 page (I think it should be named 404.shtml).

Also... check this interesting article about design designing 404 pages by Smashing Magazine:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/17/404-error-pages-reloaded/

 

I think you know the usual not found (404) page . In custom 404 page , you can create a custom page telling your that the current page is not available and can give him a link to another working part of the web page .Creating custom 404 pages is also explained Google webmaster central ...

 

Custom 404 pages are shown when someone puts an address on your website that doesn't exist or found.

 

I did wrote a small article on it and how to create one for your sites.

http://www.keralpatel.com/creating-custom-error-pages/

I hope it will help.

Thanks.

 

Thanks all for replay but i have few doubt, i am working on apech server, suppose i will create custom 404 page then what is next step i mean i will put this page in apech server through .htaccess file. if i am right then can you give me which code that i will write in .htaccess file. if i am wrong then please suggest me right thing