How to create custom error pages in Bubble.io: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating Custom Error Pages in Bubble.io

Creating custom error pages in Bubble.io allows you to enhance user experience by providing informative and personalized error messages when users encounter issues such as page not found (404) or unauthorized access (403). This guide will walk you through the process of setting up custom error pages for your Bubble.io application.

Prerequisites

• An active Bubble.io account with a project set up.
• Basic understanding of Bubble's editor and workflow setup.
• An awareness of HTTP status codes and their meanings.

Understanding Error Pages

• Error pages are displayed when a user attempts to navigate to a URL that does not exist or lacks appropriate access rights.
• Common error codes include 404 (Not Found) and 403 (Forbidden).
• Custom error pages improve user experience by replacing generic error messages with information that can guide users back to the application.

Creating a Custom Error Page in Bubble.io

• Start by opening your Bubble.io project where you want to create the custom error page.
• In the Bubble editor, create a new page dedicated to displaying error messages. Name it something descriptive like "ErrorPage" or "Custom404".
• Design your error page using Bubble's visual editor. Include elements such as:
• A message indicating the error, e.g., "Oops! The page you are looking for cannot be found."
• Suggestions for next steps, like returning home or contacting support.
• Navigation buttons or links to redirect users back to the main site or other relevant pages.
• An image or visual element that aligns with your application's branding.

Setting Up Workflow for Error Handling

• Create a new workflow in your Bubble.io project to handle error page redirection.
• Navigate to the "Workflow" tab in the Bubble editor.
• Set up a workflow event that triggers when a user encounters an error condition, such as attempting to visit a non-existent page.
• Add an action to the workflow that redirects the user to your custom error page. You can use the "Navigation" action and choose the "Go to page" option.
• Select your previously designed custom error page (e.g., "ErrorPage") as the target destination.

Using Conditions to Identify Error Scenarios

• Bubble allows for setting conditions based on data and user actions. Use conditions to detect when an error page should be displayed.
• For a 404 error, create a condition to check if the requested page or data source returns empty.
• For a 403 error, check the user's permissions and roles to determine if they lack access rights.

Testing Your Custom Error Page

• Test your custom error page by navigating to a non-existent URL in your application to simulate a 404 error.
• Verify that the workflow correctly redirects the user to your custom error page.
• Check that all elements on the error page function as expected, including navigation buttons and messages.

Deploying Custom Error Pages

• Once testing is successful, deploy your updated Bubble.io application, ensuring that your custom error pages are correctly integrated and functional.
• Monitor user interactions with error pages to identify any further improvements or modifications needed.

By following these steps, you can establish informative and user-friendly custom error pages in your Bubble.io application. This enhances user experience by providing clarity and guidance during error scenarios, ultimately contributing to a more polished and professional application.