Death Before Dishonor! :: Server Setup Guide

The Basics | Hosting | Administration Tools | Getting Traffic | Funding Your Server | Tips and Tricks

     You'll probably notice that it's not all that easy to drive traffic to your server.  It is certainly not the easiest thing in the world to do, but with some basic concepts under your belt, you should be able to fill a server up.  Here are some suggestions:

- Display what you believe is your server's greatest quality in the server title. For example, if you think that your target audience loves the idea of friendly fire being on, advertise that your server has "FF On".

- Be original.  In the case of DBD, it wasn't the game-changing mods that got us the most traffic, but the more subtle ones.  As I mentioned earlier in the guide, I, along with many other players, enjoy Natural Selection the way it was made.  There are so many servers out there with ridiculous game-altering mods that it's actually our lack of mods that makes our server unique.

- Enforce reasonable rules.  Nobody likes a heartless admin.  If you start kicking people for no apparent reason, other people may leave.  This, obviously, is not a desirable outcome.

- Network with other clans.  One of the best resources you have is other clans.  Find a group of gamers with similar interests, and form a clan "alliance" with them.  This way, each of your servers could have a link to the other - likewise with your websites.

- Don't be a control freak.  This is a really important one.  If you go onto your server, immediately change the map, then kick three people so that your friends can join you, this will resonate with your players.  If you must have the ability to play with specific people, set up a reserved slot plugin, and give certain players the ability to use them.  I don't recommend this practice, but it is a better option than simply kicking people.

- Spend time on your server.  This might seem a bit obvious, but it always amazes me how many server admins don't play on their servers.  The simple truth is that sometimes, jerks get on your server and the other players don't want to deal with them.  Just by being on the server, you can referee any issues and make playing an enjoyable experience.  A more enjoyable experience = more players.

- Think of players as customers. Think about the desires of your regular players.  I'm not saying to give control out to people, or make changes at their whim, but try taking polls on your site; let your regular players tell you what they like and dislike.  Fine-tuning your server to meet your players half-way can go a long way toward repeat "customers".