WPBeginner has laid out an interesting question. Do we need a better 404 page for WordPress plugins repository? They think so and I do to. I’ve experienced the issue of clicking a plugin link only to be redirected magically to the plugin repository page without any explanation as to why. From here, I perform a search to find the plugin that I was linked to only to come up empty. In my opinion, the 404 page on the plugin repository should give a few explanations as to why the plugin was not found. It could have been its removal, its suspension, or a bad link but at least give a little explanation. I especially like the idea presented by GraphicsCove in providing a list of 3 or 5 similar plugins. I’d also like to see a little bit of Matt’s witty humor. What better place to put it than on a 404 page.
If you had the opportunity to create the 404 page, what information would you present on it?
Hmm. Never noticed that before. Good idea.
How about a search? Like… err… this? :)
@Otto – Since now Otto has noticed this, I am certain that this issue will be addressed :)
This morning I get a report from LinkTiger telling me I have 17 broken links on my site, where as the day before I only had 1. Turns out, I’m linking to plenty of removed plugins and this issue has been fixed! Thanks guys!
@Syed Balkhi – I tried going to a made up plugin name and instead of being redirected to the front page of the repository, I now get a search box and a page saying Whoops We Couldn’t Find What You Were Looking For with a list of similar plugins based on relevance. Much better than what we had previously. Props to You and Otto for that one.
@M.K. Safi – Yeah, I made sure that even though it gives you that nice search, it’s also returning a 404 header there too. Should address the bad links issue. :)
Great job Otto. I knew you would take care of this right away :)