This is a list of some of the features Essentials has to offer as to which most server owners look over..

ONE: Instead of "CommandSpy" or something of the sort, Under the social-spy section of your Essentials config (Line 114)  just put a "- *" This will show ALL commands typed when the user has /socialspy on !

TWO: I find a lot of people have problems with the Essentials signs.. Firstly, you need to add this perm to the group/user in order for them to be able to use it: essentials.signs.use.(buy/sell/free/weather/repair.. etc) AND then go to your Essentials config and down to the "enabledSigns" section (Line 266) and remove the # from what signs you want enabled.

THREE: Join/quit messages! TONS of people miss this one and it's so useful!! Obviously you're gonna want to go to the section "custom-join message" and "custom-quit message" section of your Essentials config. This can get a bit confusing.. As the name variable, If you want to show the players prefix use {USERNAME}; if not use {PLAYERNAME}. For this example I'll use {USERNAME}. On my server it is like this: &e&lK&b&lO&3&lC &7> &e{PLAYER} &7joined

FOUR: Another confusing yet VERY important one! Chat formatting. Ever see on a server colored messages? No annoying < > around names? You can get those.. With Essentials! Go to the section "Essentials Chat" in your config and down to "format" This is another confusing one.. I can't go into great details with this, But maybe you'll learn a thing or two if you see mine. Here it is: 
group-formats:
Default: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7 {MESSAGE}'
Admin: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7&c&l {MESSAGE}'
donor: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7 {MESSAGE}'
Mod: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7 {MESSAGE}'
Trouble: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7 {MESSAGE}'
Donor2: '{DISPLAYNAME}&7 &b>&7 {MESSAGE}'

FIVE: A lot of people have problems with players not being able to pick things up or build. If you don't want to deal with perms then go to your "Essentials anti build" section in your config and change build: true to build: false (Same for use)
If you have GroupManager and you don't want to change this in your config do /mangaddv (Group.. usually "default") build true

SIX: Welcome messages. I think this one is pretty well known. Whatever. Go to "Essentials spawn / New players" section and "announce format" Enough said? Hmm.. Example! 
 announce-format: '&e&lK&b&lO&3&lC &7> &7Welcome &e{DISPLAYNAME}&7 to the server!'

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