Error Message (UX)

An error message is feedback that explains why a website action could not be completed or why entered information needs correction. In a service request form, 'Please enter a valid email address' is more useful than an unexplained red border or a generic 'Something went wrong.' Helpful messages identify the problem, point to the relevant action, and avoid blaming the person using the site. They should be available to people using assistive technology, not communicated through color alone. A form error message differs from a 404 page, which responds to a missing URL. Both help people recover, but they address different situations.