Heyo! My name is DocDrewskii and I have decided to make a thread comprising of all my advice to newer server owner; Feel free to reply to this thread with something you wish you had known going into owning a minecraft server and I will add it to the post!
Last Updated: 11/21/2021 @ 9:42 AM EST
Server/Gamemode Help
- Focus on one gamemode first if you are opening a network (ex. Do not work on Skyblock and Factions at the same time). Working on more than one gamemode at the same time would mostlikely slow down development times for everything
- Do not use Cracked/Leaked plugins; You never know what are in these plugins especially if they are plugins that used to have licences. These plugins could be filled with Rats/Malicious code.
- You do not need expensive plugins that are considered "high-tier" (StellarDev, Atlas, or Joseph's). Typically these plugins are overpriced and there are mostlikely similar plugins already released on Spigot or MCMarket.
- Do not pay for your final hosting in development stages. I recommend a shared host in order to setup the minecraft server. This will help keep the server within a certain budget.
- Play multiple different variety servers with the gamemode that you are trying to release, figure out what they have in common, what they differ in, and what they lack. Use this to your advantage to create the best and most unique server to the players liking.
- Have 3 major color codes that match your server template/layout.
- Trello - I cannot stress this enough. Use a Trello to plan out/strategize and categorize what you need done before beginning development. What features you want, Plugins, Lore, and Theme.
- Add 1-2 plugins at a time and specifically work on those configurations for those plugins. This will minimalize the procrastination and work overload. Typically your brain will have a meltdown due to how much unfinished work you need to accomplish (well in my case that's what happens).
- Daily To-Do list - Having a Daily To-Do list is great for managing time and keeping up with a schedule. This list should comprise of how many things you CAN DO, not THINK YOU CAN DO. Don't push yourself to where you are all burned out.
- Standardized Theme - Brainstorm a theme for your server a based it on that specific theme, If you want a Space themed server, Have Space themed builds, Crates, Etc...
- Economy Breakdown - Have an economy breakdown sheet/layout. This will help in the long-term. Normally players ask for an Economy Sheet stating what the economy is based off of, and what sells and buys for what. This gives players and their groups to strategize on how to win the map. Economy is extremely hard to balance as it plays a major role in the direction your server goes. The economy has many factors such as, Crates, PvP Events, KoTH, and other plugins that may give good/high-tier items or money.
- Don't overuse GUI's. Yes, GUI's look professional and neat in the server owners eyes but in the eye of the players, they could be rather annoying as well. Make sure not to overuse GUI's.
- Limit your server to a set amount of features. You do not have to have 100 different features in order to make your server unique. Typically it is harder to manage the server with more features and it makes it more confusing for the players.
- Secure Backend & Front End with 2FA Verification for High Ranked Staff Members - I cannot stress enough to have a secure Front-End and Back-End server host with 2FA Verification for higher ranked staff. This is not only to protect you from greifers and hackers but it is also to protect the players private information such as their IP Address. I recommend having a requirement for 2FA within all of your amenities; Discord, Minecraft, Host, Web, and Web Store. Nothing reassures a player that they are playing in a safe environment with extra security measures.
- Databases - Databases are commonly used within Minecraft Plugins. I recommend using MariaDB (Fork of MySQL) as MySQL is the most common Database used in Minecraft Plugin Development. MariaDB provides extra security and faster data transfer that regular MySQL. If a plugin uses a Database system, Make sure to use it as it could save important files/information pertaining to the server.
- Backups - Just like Databases, I recommend backing the server up every 6-8 hours on a separate device that only you and the other owner(s) (if any) have access to. Typically, You should have an auto-restart to backup the data as it also gives the server time to process and export all the information that it has received over the past couple of hours.
Discord & Advertisement Help
- Don't advertise too early. If you advertise too early in development, It could leave a bad reputation and members will get bored of waiting and eventually will leave the discord.
- Engage with your community. This could be through server events, giveaways, or even just communicating and listening to the community through discord.
- Document Rules and Their punishments. Make sure that players know their rules. You can do this by having a rules channel in discord. Setting it up as a verification requirement through your discord and having an announcement to a players rules document.
- Interaction - Interact within the community as owner; Hold giveaways, Fun discord events, Server events, Keep your players in-gaged into your server by being an interactive owner.
- Do not respond to DM's and I highly recommend turning them off to non-friends. Typically server owners get hundreds of messages in their DM's and if you respond to one person, you will have to respond to all or else it can cause conflict within the discord as if you message and help one player out and ignore everyone else and someone complains and that one player says "He helped me". It could start a huge ruckus within the community.
- TikTok is an amazing form of advertisment. TikTok is full of gamers. Make tiktoks showing off your server, whats unique and different and how fun the server is to play. Show videos of you interacting with community and hosting events. Videos like this will help attract many to your server and get the ball rolling!
Budgeting & Financial Help
- Do not pay for your final hosting in development stages. I recommend a shared host in order to setup the minecraft server. This will help keep the server within a certain budget.
- Budget Documentation; Have a layout of what you need to buy, what you bought and how much you are willing to spend in total for the server.
- Monthly Payment Tracking and Same Day Billing; Keep all your monthly costs organized within a document. Try to keep all your monthly payments on the same day or within the same week so you can keep track of your money and payments!
Last Updated: 11/21/2021 @ 9:42 AM EST
Last edited:
Banned forever. Reason: Scamming (https://builtbybit.com/threads/docdrewskii-v-levitate-transaction-dispute.716184/)
