Hello guys! A lot of you might wanna start your own server but don't know how to do it! This is why I am posting this blog to help you get your server up and running and pumping donations! Here we go!
1) Get a hoster OR port forward! Port forwarding is NOT recommended as it will lag your computer and your server, although it is free unlike a hoster. Hosters cost money, ($) to have but will most likely not lag.
2) Make sure to have Bukkit, Not Vanilla. Bukkit allows you to have plugins such as essentials which allow you to do /tpa or /tp. They also enhance your experience and can even help save your server from griefers.
3) Get a permissions plugin. Permission plugins will most likely be better then op/non-op as you can have your players do /spawn or /sethome! It will also allow you to have more then one staff as you can setup commands they can do rather then being able to destroy your server in a matter of seconds.
4) GET EXPERIENCED STAFF! This is SUPER crucial as most owners will make this mistake. They will make their "Best Friend" co-owner or admin. Sometimes this might work, but no matter WHAT happens do NOT give them operator as they will most likely destroy your server.
5) Setup a spawn with rules and a shop. This will help your server grow TREMENDOUSLY. Having a spawn with rules on signs will help your players learn the rules and not break them. A shop will allow your players to sell their items and get money to buy ahead.
6) Have Mini-Games. A mini-game will allow your players to have fun rather then faction/pvp. This will increase overall player happiness and might even gain you some donators!
7) Donators. Now that your pretty popular you might wanna begin giving your donators items for their money. Now, Don't make your server pay to win as this will literately EAT your population as the ones who donate will murder them instantly. But don't make them weak so a non-donator can kill them in like two hits. Make them so that players can kill them and they can kill the players in like 4-7 hits so the players have a chance.
8) Now you set up the donations and your getting so many its semi-impossible to give them their items! This is where BuyCraft or the Enjin Minecraft Plugin and a Enjin website might come in handy. With BuyCraft you can get donations and the buycraft team will give the items to your players who donate semi-Instantly. This is the same case with the Enjin one but Enjin is completely free and unlike buycraft can have more then three items.
9) Staff. Okay, You got rid of some staff who abuse and have open spots. Now all the players are asking "How can i be staff" or "PLZ GIVE OP!". Instead of giving them a write able book setup a forum system! With a forum system you can make official application format so they can have the same questions instead of randomized ones the players come up with!
Hope this helped - syfpiehole