Improving Your Server

Improving Your Server

Running a server isn't all what it is cut out to be. You need to deal with complaints, those hundreds of staff applications, fixing glitches, griefs, tending to your community, adding new features, etc. Turns out, most server owners are usually just fixing problems and not having to go on and spend time on his server. These are a few balances in keeping an orderly server. There are a few good features to add to a server, like fluency, silliness, socialization, teamwork, and more, but a lot of admins forget the most crucial part of their server - trade. An economy on a server is the most biggest thing you want if you want a large and successful server. Without it, life becomes boring and dull. People want to feel like they are living in real life in a Minecraft server (the Towny plugin helps a lot with this.) Plus, trade increases player growth, substantial joy, thus causing more donators :D! Which, by the way, can allow you to make your server bigger with each donation! It is a funny thing how by players making money you can make money. But by economy, I don't say "Let's put up some ADMIN SHOPS so the players can get stuff!" No. No, no. I barely stand for that. Admin Shops are fine as long as you have normal player trade. For example, a good plugin to add to your server is something called CraftBay, aka players can auction their items for money. This could be a donator perk if you'd really like. A second thing could be a shop district, although that is very hard to attend to if your server is big (hundreds of players wanting a shop :o can get messy.) Another plugin you could add could be a Live Market plugin, where players can type /buy or /shop buy to get items straight into their inventory for quick supply retrieving. So, let's recap on what we went over so far

- Admin Shops alone don't cut it.
- Having no economy = Having no server.
- Having an economy = Great Server
- Having a real economy helps a lot.
- Having players being able to buy things quickly helps a lot.

These features are what most servers forget about. That is why I am bringing it to a blog so maybe people will realize what their missing. Sure, some servers have that shiny banner and you just oh just want to click it...but it may not be turned out as what it really is (don't judge a book by its cover)

Also, to improve your server you may want to have an open-feel type spawn, where if you're dealing with many players people can walk around your spawn and not feel claustrophobic. Smaller spawns maybe prettier, but sometimes it just hurts your server.

Have big noticeable portals/shops/signs. No one will want to be Sherlock Holmes and crack the case of "The Missing Store." No one wants that. They just want to see it right there, big and obvious, and go right in, do their business, and leave (insert bathroom joke.)

Second of all, make sure all your staff is trustworthy. Live by this motto; everyone is replaceable. If one of your admins is giving you back-talk and spawning players items, remove the cancer. Demote him. He has obviously no interest in your trust in himself nor boundaries. Do not have abusive staff or your server will die. I am not joking. Staff is the main community enforcer, they need to be good or your server will not. Whip your staff up into shape, and don't promote on the 1st hour you met them because you need staff. That's not the best idea. Be smart with whom you promote and build trust. Most of all - make them scared of you. Make them fear you; for if they don't they will never be staff again. But, also still have your friendly side if they're doing good.

Well, that's all I have for today guys, more tips tomorrow.

-Chubop

P.S. If you want to find my first How to Run a Server blog, go to this link.
http://www.planetminecraft.com/blog/running-a-great-and-unique-server/