How to get players on a new Minecraft server

Step 1: Get the server ready before you advertise

Advertising a server that is not ready burns the players you worked hardest to get. Before you post anywhere, play the first hour yourself as a new player would.

• The first five minutes: a spawn that explains where to go, a short tutorial or signs, and a first goal like claiming land or picking a kit.
• Stability: no crashes, no lag spikes at spawn, and a host that keeps the server online. Players who find it offline twice rarely try a third time.
• A clear idea: "Survival with land claims and a player economy" is easier to choose than "everything server".
• Rules and staff: short rules, a way to report players, and someone who answers.

Step 2: An address players can remember

A domain looks more trustworthy than a raw IP and survives a host change. Java players connect on port 25565 by default. If your server runs on another port, an SRV record lets players join with just the domain:

_minecraft._tcp.play.example.com.  SRV  0 5 25570 node1.example-host.com.

Many hosts set this up for you. Test the address from outside your home network before you publish it.

Step 3: Let Bedrock players in with Geyser

A large part of Minecraft is played on phones, consoles and Windows Bedrock. With Geyser, Bedrock players can join a Java server, and Floodgate lets them in without a Java account. Geyser runs as a plugin on Paper or Spigot, on Velocity or BungeeCord, or standalone.

• Geyser listens on port 19132 by default. Bedrock uses UDP, so this port must allow UDP traffic. On many hosts you add it as an extra port.
• Floodgate puts a prefix in front of Bedrock names, by default a dot: .Steve. Keep it, so Bedrock and Java names never collide.
• Test with a real Bedrock device before you advertise crossplay.

On BestMCServerList you can choose Java, Bedrock or both, and add the Bedrock address and port for Geyser servers. The full setup is in the Geyser and Floodgate guide.

Step 4: A listing that explains your server in seconds

On a server list, players compare dozens of servers in a few minutes. They decide by icon, name, MOTD, banner and the first lines of text. Make each of them count:

1. Icon: one bold shape that still reads at 64×64 pixels. The server icon guide explains size, file name and folder.
2. MOTD: two short lines with your gamemode and one reason to join. See the MOTD colours guide.
3. Banner: readable text and your own colours. The banner guide covers sizes and GIF file size.
4. Description: what players do on the server, which version and edition, which language the community speaks, and what makes it different. Screenshots beat adjectives.
5. Correct tags: gamemodes, country and languages, so filters show your server to the right players.

Listing on several server lists helps, because players use different ones. On BestMCServerList every new server is checked by a person before it appears. The order follows votes and a complete listing; premium does not change the rank.

Step 5: Turn voting into a habit

Votes move your server up on lists, and lists bring new players. Players vote more often when they get something for it, so connect rewards:

1. Install NuVotifier and connect it on your Votifier page. The NuVotifier guide walks through ports, tokens and proxies.
2. Add a reward plugin. The VotingPlugin guide sets up rewards, vote parties and streaks.
3. Remind players with /vote, a line in the MOTD or a scoreboard entry. On BestMCServerList each name can vote once per calendar day.

Never pay for votes or let one person vote for many names. Votes should come from real players; lists check votes, and fake activity damages trust quickly.

Step 6: A community place, usually Discord

Players stay for other players. A Discord server or another community space gives them a place to talk when they are not online, and gives you a way to announce updates and events.

• Keep the channel list short at the start. Five busy channels feel better than thirty empty ones.
• Post changes, sneak peeks and small events regularly, and link your server page.
• Ask your first players what they miss, and show that you act on it.

Step 7: More ways to reach players

• Friends first: ask friends to play at the same time during the first week. A server with a few people online gets more joins than an empty one.
• Events at fixed times: a build contest, a PvP tournament or a launch event gives players a reason to come at the same moment.
• Content creators: small creators answer more often than big ones. Offer an early look or a custom event, not money for fake hype.
• Your own website: embed the server status widget and link the vote page, so visitors see that the server is online.

Common mistakes that cost players