Running a server is pretty complicated, first you need staff. When my server was small it was only me running it. First bad mistake. Overnight when i turn my computer on the world is griefed. Have at least one staff on.. Noy the whole night but some of it. Thats why its helpful to get staff from a different timezone. You can talk each other through email, but the best is skype. For finding an admin you have to be smart. Don't get admins that seem tooo nice. These are usally hackers or griefers trying to get your trust. Get an admin that seems to be 95% doing what you say. I run a server calld mineshrine if you want to join the ip is mineshrine.beastnode.org:25652. I have a nice co-owner named fatal_heaven. But a few of my admins is rebillious one of them hacked my server a couple of times. Another had been opping his friends without my permission. What i am trying to say is be smart when chosing admins. Watch the console when your not seeing how they act without you around. Plugins are hard to chose and change. Plugins get changed everyone in a while so be prepared to track them down when not there not working. Chose different plugins. One of the most needed is essntials. If you don know what it means google it. Another is permission if you like ranks(i do). Plugins are good to make your server awesome. If you dont know what plugins to get ask your players, they will give you se good plugins. Making your server popular is both tricky and hard. You need to understand it wont take 5 seconds. It takes dedication and skill to make your server on the top. Planet Minecraft is a good way to get a few people on. Then after that it taks commitment to the player and servers. Make sure your admins dont do a term called (admin abuse). Admin abuse is using admin powers to torcher a player. Example doing /kill or spawning mObs where he stands. This gets players very discouraged Be responsible and they will bring all there friends on the server. Griefing/hacking Its hard to react when you have majorly been grieifed. First thing is finding your suspect, but make sure you chrck yuor admins. Admins alson are known from hacking. Have a reward for finding the griefer/hacker and ban his ip. It will be diffuclt but be careful. Now use your own knowledge after you this. Make your desicion, everything you do effects your server.