Tips Please for making a successful server <3

[chickeneater123]

Hi there

So, I am thinking of making my own server, I have been a server owner in the past however non of the servers I have made have ever kicked off well.

I am doing this for the fun of it, It would be very very very nice to get some profit out of it but the base reason is to have fun and hopefully get a community.

I myself know how to make a basic factions server, and that is mainly it (basic as in it puts up with most standards, but not the type of really high up faction servers)

I was think of either a factions server, or a skyblock server, or even a prison server. (Maybe some practice pvp in there)

I would like recommendations on which of these 3 could build up a nice community

I don't know how to make an xenforo website but usually every now and then vouch copies pop up, and I can edit my own trailer

If people recommend skyblock or prison I will have to pay for a setup

Here are the things I will be paying for:
Small youtuber advertisement
Maybe a setup
Hosting
*if I can't find a vouch copy* an xenforo setup
Maybe a domain
Cheap logo and banner



My Budget is 30$

I know for a fact that I can get most of these things bought for 30$

But a lot of people say it is very stupid to make a server in 2018 without a good budget.

I remind you I am in it for the fun, and if possible a bit of profit



Any recommendations the mcm community can give me to start this server well and get a small but nice playerbase?

Please

Oh and all people who give quality info will receive a vouch and a rep

 

[Remnicore]

I wouldn't listen to the people discouraging you from doing this. Over the years I've learned a lot about server ownership and how they operate, and from that experience I can assure you that it is possible to start a server with a budget of $30. However, there is a catch to having such a small budget.

1. You won't be able to afford unique/custom builds, plugins, or configs.
2. You won't be able to advertise with YouTubers or rent slots.
3. You won't be able to pay for a lot of premium features, like BuyCraft Premium, XenForo, Enjin plans, etc.

Back in 2014 when I was very inexperienced and unaware of how things "were meant to be done", I started my own little Factions server. I had a budget of probably $60, but I made it happen. I used HostHorde (bad option, don't go with them) for the server, and Enjin for the forums. One mistake I made was budgeting. I was horrible with money back then. I was like 13-years old, so that's to be expected. Whenever somebody donated, I'd go buy a new server to like to the Bungee. Eventually I had to shut the server down because I ran out of money. That's what happens when your host is expensive and you spend all the money on new servers. I was lucky enough to have friends that were very good at certain things, such as development and building. With a tiny budget, you won't be able to hire builders or developers. Because of that, you need to have close friends that will work with you for free, or you need to be able to do it yourself.

Don't expect a large playerbase, but it's certainly possible to do. You'll just have to put all the effort in yourself. You need to budget that $30, so it doesn't go to waste. Create an Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheet and plan your monthly expenses. Find a reliable but inexpensive host, pick your gamemode, and go from there. Be prepared to do a lot of work.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Misspoke]

How'd you grow your factions server? currently struggling with mine and would appreciate some help

it's also fine if you don't share because you know, industry secrets and stuff

At the start I advertised my server through discord/skype and it got me some players but I don't recommend doing that as the server will get a bad reputation. After that I payed a few small youtubers because I had a low budget. Then I received many donations and I used the money to pay bigger youtubers to record and upload my server trailer. (This is literally how I did on my first faction server). You can also buy a ad slot on minecraftservers.org or any other website but I don't recommend that either because it's expensive and not worth it. These days I usually make a contract with a big youtuber to record weekly and that will get many players. If you have a big budget then I recommend doing so and if you have a low budget I recommend starting as I did and when you got enough with donations then make a contract with a big youtuber. I had to write again because by misstake I forgot to post the reply last time.

 

[Thom]

My Budget is 30$

Multiply that by 20 and you'll have a decent server.

 

[Orochimaru]

If you're looking for CHEAP QUALITY HOSTING i would suggest https://etheral.host
I've got 11 servers hosted on there for my network.

I nearly died when you said this on this thread LOL[DOUBLEPOST=1521471157][/DOUBLEPOST]

Multiply that by 20 and you'll have a decent server.

I've made a decent server from $50 before, it's not easy but possible.

 

[chickeneater123]

I wouldn't listen to the people discouraging you from doing this. Over the years I've learned a lot about server ownership and how they operate, and from that experience I can assure you that it is possible to start a server with a budget of $30. However, there is a catch to having such a small budget.

1. You won't be able to afford unique/custom builds, plugins, or configs.
2. You won't be able to advertise with YouTubers or rent slots.
3. You won't be able to pay for a lot of premium features, like BuyCraft Premium, XenForo, Enjin plans, etc.

Back in 2014 when I was very inexperienced and unaware of how things "were meant to be done", I started my own little Factions server. I had a budget of probably $60, but I made it happen. I used HostHorde (bad option, don't go with them) for the server, and Enjin for the forums. One mistake I made was budgeting. I was horrible with money back then. I was like 13-years old, so that's to be expected. Whenever somebody donated, I'd go buy a new server to like to the Bungee. Eventually I had to shut the server down because I ran out of money. That's what happens when your host is expensive and you spend all the money on new servers. I was lucky enough to have friends that were very good at certain things, such as development and building. With a tiny budget, you won't be able to hire builders or developers. Because of that, you need to have close friends that will work with you for free, or you need to be able to do it yourself.

Don't expect a large playerbase, but it's certainly possible to do. You'll just have to put all the effort in yourself. You need to budget that $30, so it doesn't go to waste. Create an Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheet and plan your monthly expenses. Find a reliable but inexpensive host, pick your gamemode, and go from there. Be prepared to do a lot of work.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you this information really helped me out It actually feels REALLY good to finally get motivation to do it[DOUBLEPOST=1521482172][/DOUBLEPOST]

At the start I advertised my server through discord/skype and it got me some players but I don't recommend doing that as the server will get a bad reputation. After that I payed a few small youtubers because I had a low budget. Then I received many donations and I used the money to pay bigger youtubers to record and upload my server trailer. (This is literally how I did on my first faction server). You can also buy a ad slot on minecraftservers.org or any other website but I don't recommend that either because it's expensive and not worth it. These days I usually make a contract with a big youtuber to record weekly and that will get many players. If you have a big budget then I recommend doing so and if you have a low budget I recommend starting as I did and when you got enough with donations then make a contract with a big youtuber. I had to write again because by misstake I forgot to post the reply last time.

Thank you dude, I understand that it is hard with a low budget, but as you mentioned it is possible [DOUBLEPOST=1521482220][/DOUBLEPOST]

I nearly died when you said this on this thread LOL[DOUBLEPOST=1521471157][/DOUBLEPOST]
I've made a decent server from $50 before, it's not easy but possible.

I am making a towny server, so not a bad start considering most towny servers pop off nicely, plus I know how to edit, and I have a few youtuber friends that get over 500+ views per video, so that can help

 

[boopnose]

How'd you grow your factions server? currently struggling with mine and would appreciate some help

it's also fine if you don't share because you know, industry secrets and stuff


How long has it been up for, and which forums are you using to advertise?

chickeneater123 sorry for hijacking your thread, I hope you don't mind

3-4 weeks. Minecraftforum.net

 

[chickeneater123]

3-4 weeks. Minecraftforum.net

Only mc forums, but what sub forum?

 

[boopnose]

Servers? Lol

 

[MostlySnakes]

Multiply that by 20 and you'll have a decent server.

I've literally advertised a server with no budget and hot them to about 50 players within a week. It's a bitch to do but you just have to be a little creative. Funneling money into a project is not always the answer

 

[Sparko]

I've literally advertised a server with no budget and hot them to about 50 players within a week. It's a bitch to do but you just have to be a little creative. Funneling money into a project is not always the answer

how did you advertise??

 

[MostlySnakes]

how did you advertise??

Oh please let me tell you my exact advertising strategies I use so everyone can copy them

 

[K Y R I X]

It's possible to make a successful server with 30$ and mybe it will be not for fun .
I can off re you a hosting for your servers for cheap and high quality . Also i will offer you a free logo design (Clean & beautiful ) . you just need to pay for domain and advertising i will offer you free webHosting .
contact me via Discord and we will deal well :
K Y R I X#2715

 

[chickeneater123]

I am making a trailer for the server now, We have a discord already, and it is looking pretty good so far, gonna try and build up a community before release, and who knows, I might get a bit of a pb

 

[Zovichi]

Making a server off of $30 is completely possible with unexclusive builds and free plugins. Although t may be scummy, just buy alts for advertising

Lmao you can make a server with $30 (to start at least), an FYI, you don’t need custom plugins to make a server fun btw. FYI. Not trying to bash though