Step 1 How many players?
By connecting to a server host, Minecraft can be played in multiplayer mode where you and your friends can play within the same world. It is important to be sure of how many players will be playing through your server as the more capacity that is required for the server to provide, the more expensive your server is likely to be.
Step 2 What are your requirements?
It is imperative that the server specifications correlate to the number of players you will have whether it be just you or 10 players. The more players, the more bandwidth will be used. If the server is incapable of serving over 10 players for example this can result in lag and instability. Below is a general guideline to help give you an idea of your server requirements;
No. of Players No. of Processors Amount of Memory Bandwidth Required Less than 10 1 512MB 10GB Less than 20 2 1024MB 20GB Less than 30 2 2048MB 40GB
Besides that, you also need to learn all about Minecraft alt shops which will help you once you are done finishing up your server. Coming back to server hosting.
Step 3 How long will you run the server with the Host?
Making the decision to have your own server hosting can be an exciting and risky step. Your dedication to the game has brought you here and no doubt you plan to continue to play Minecraft with your friends for some time to come, it is therefore essential that you choose a reputable host that you know you can depend on. Beastnode and Gameservers have the best user reviews for uptime and gaming support. Some server hosts offer discounts for users who rent servers for a long period. So it is worth asking your host if there are any savings available to you for being a loyal client.
Step 4 What is your price range?
Depending on your needs, server plans can vary in price range anywhere from $4.00 per month right up to $100 for a dedicated server plan. Once you have worked out your server requirements, check out the plans available from many different Server hosts, don’t just take the first option, you don’t want to be paying $100 more than you need to!
On all plans remember to check the total bandwidth allowed so that you don’t end up with any extra charges. If the price of server hosting is holding you back from making that final step to purchasing your own server, then I recommend you take a look at some of the cheaper options in our article Cheap Minecraft Server Hosting
Step 5 Choose the best server host plan for you
What you will be looking for in a server is a plan that meets your server specifications, minimal lag, ability to serve multiple players (in multiplayer mode), at a reasonable price for your needs. It may suit you to pay monthly as your server needs may change, or perhaps it is better to pay for a year upfront so you don’t have to worry about your bill.
Another important factor to take into account is the distance of your server. For example, if you live in Adelaide and your Server Host is located in Tehuana, you are likely to experience a lot of lag, so be sensible. It’s worth spending a little extra time to work out what best suits your requirements to avoid disappointment down the track.
The main things to take into consideration when choosing your server plan are;
Reliable server
The last thing you need is a server that goes offline due to technical difficulties. Look for a server that has good user reviews for reliability and customer support.
Take a look at Host Reviews & Comparisons
Location of your server
The time it takes for the player to communicate to the server is directly relative to the actual distance between the player and the server. The longer the distance is from the player to the server, the more likely you are to experience lag.
Quality of Customer support
Setting up a Minecraft server can be difficult even with good configuration knowledge. It is important for your host to provide exceptional customer support, and can be the deciding factor when choosing between several hosts.
