We’ve discussed creating custom error pages before. They are prime real estate and it leaves a better experience. Sure, an error page is never as good as an active page, but at least people don’t get a rude, nasty shock that does them no good. After all, if you can salvage a visitor by being helpful, why wouldn’t you?

Those are all good reasons to customize your error pages but with the new Google Toolbar, you may just have a kick in the butt to do so. The latest Google Toolbar will display a Google search page if a customized error page is not found. So, Google is basically saying, no custom error page? Oh hey, that’s a great place to put the Google brand and plug our product. All in the name of ‘better user experience’. If you don’t like the thought of that, it’s time to load up your sites with those customized error pages.