[Guide]: How to create a successful Minecraft server.

Ninja · 06-20-2013, 10:22 AM

How to create a successful Minecraft server. . .

Index:

Basics
Selling Point
Logo
Advertising
Encourage, and use suggestions/feedback
Stay active, do not give up

[ I ] - Basics - [ I ]

It is absolutely mandatory that you make an advertisement that is eye-pleasing, and informs the user of exactly what the can expect to find on your server. I would also suggest that you come up with an intriguing slogan as well.

[ II ] - Selling Point - [ II ]

I define the selling point of a server as something that stands out, and makes the user want to be apart of the community. For example, pictures of your builds on the server. I highly suggest that you take pictures of your builds and add them to your advertisement. (Arenas, Mini-Games, etc.) I encourage you to take the time to make the landscape around your spawn area easy to navigate, depending on what type of server you run. I'm going to use a Factions/PvP server for example. If you run this type of server you want to make sure that the area around your spawn does not have giant craters, tons of trees, and hills, most importantly, water. I personally do not stay on these types of servers very long if I find an abundance of the things listed above. The best way to avoid this is by not allowing members to build unless they have traveled a set distance from your spawn.

[ III ] - Logos - [ III ]

In my opinion, I believe logos are what attracts the majority of people to your advertisement. Therefore it is important to take the time to make something that catches the eye. I believe the best type of logo that you can have is one that is sleek, simple, and gets the message across to the person as to what they can expect to find in your server.

[ IV ] - Advertising - [ IV ]

It is obvious that you need to post your server on numerous Minecraft server lists, and forums. (I hope so, anyways.) If you do not know any Minecraft server lists, or forums I will link several below.

I suggest posting your advertisement on ALL of those sites. To be honest, that's the minimum amount of sites you should be posting your advertisement on. I also encourage you to implement the votifier plugin, it encourages your members to vote for your server by giving them in-game rewards. It is a win-win, it's also basically a standard now-a-days.

[ V ] - Encourage, and use suggestions/feedback - [ V ]

It is extremely important to listen to what your members have to say. I strongly suggest investing in a website so that your members can voice their suggestions, and feedback at anytime. It is very important to allow your members to have a say in all decisions made that will affect the server, especially things like map resets. It is a simple concept that a lot of server owners fail to do, if the demand for something is high enough, add it. In the end, you should put your members wants over your wants.

[ VI ] - Stay active, do not give up - [ VI ]

You have to realize that there are HUNDREDS, of Minecraft servers being made daily. You are not going to be an instant success over night, it takes time. If you stick with it, put in the effort and know what you are doing, you will succeed. I have seen many server owners give up after just a couple weeks due to a lack of patients. If you are dedicated, results will come.

This will conclude my Guide on how to create a successful Minecraft server. I wish you luck with your server(s). I hope this was enjoyable to read, and hopefully helpful to someone.

I have several other threads similar to this one planned for Minecraft, I would appreciate if you could leave some feedback on what you thought, and what should be changed. Also, if someone would be kind enough to do a grammar check on this, that would be amazing. I am posting this around 5AM.

Mafia · 07-01-2013, 08:46 PM

Thanks I will set up a server later on and follow this guide!