To be honest I only play factions.
So this is what I look for:
1) Proper Staff. This means no Admin because they are a close friend or you know them in real life. I don't give two flying flucks if they're your best friend, they more than likely do not take the server as seriously as you.
2) Watch your staff and moderate them appropriately. This means you check their logs and what they do in and outside of chat. You are the owner, they are your responsibility.
3) A good shop. A good shop has decent sellback rates and has no loopholes, exploit or overpowered sell signs/items. Also, the shop needs to include many items such as decoration blocks, building blocks, minerals, spawners, and other essentials.
4) A unique/badass spawn, this means a professional spawn that has your server's colors and logo within. You need a brand as a server such as the Badlion Network or the Mineplex logo.
5) You need a way to get around spawn efficiently. This means teleport pads, warps, speed and jump effects, and/or boats. <--- thats an original idea
6) You need a well-organized buycraft that has balanced ranks. This means no $20 ranks that give Protection III Diamond armor and 20 god apples.
7) Have an active playerbase so finding bases is actually manageable. 50+ players is usually the standard. Also, a pro tip: If your playerbase is small, decrease the world border :3.
8) Have custom plugins. This adds a variety unlike any other server to your own. It has its own appeal and differentiates it from the norm.
9) Have a tiered staff. This means you have a wide variety of staff levels. Ill give you an example. Helper < Helper+ < TrialMod < Moderator < HeadMod < Admin < HeadAdmin < Co-owner < Owner
10) Make sure your rules are clear and cover everything.
11)For God's sake man, don't give free ranks! ( unless their is a server event that has a, oh I do not know, $10 donor voucher prize?
12) Make sure your players get all the help they need and that they have fun!
