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Minecraft has become a household name. Gamers around the globe have tried this popular, pixelated platform of digital delight at least once in the last decade. The Minecraft madness doesn't stop at non-gamers. It is impossible to open an internet browser, access a streaming service, or go into a store without coming across Minecraft or its merchandise. Mojang, a Swedish developer of games, first released Minecraft to the public in 2009. Minecraft has grown to become one of most popular gaming platforms around the globe over the past ten years, with Microsoft reporting that Minecraft has more 112 million monthly users (as of September 2019,). You need to know how to make a Minecraft server popular with this kind of player base. Let's find out! Related: How to create a Minecraft server for Windows, Mac, or Linux 7 ways to make money with your Minecraft server Here's how to start making money on your Minecraft server: Set up your business. Charge for server access. Collect membership fees. Ask for donations. Sell digital merchandise. Secure sponsorships Stream your gameplay. Regular gameplay can include story, building, and community interactions on a server that the player chooses. You can also manage your own Minecraft server and create the world of your dreams. Invite others to join. Technically, Minecraft gaming is not allowed to make you money, but Mojang, which develops Minecraft, has made an exception for Minecraft server owners. Before you can dream of payday, it is essential to review the Minecraft Commercial Use Terms. It will explain how you legally profit from your Minecraft server. (Read the Mojang Terms and Conditions every time you visit. Some of the information and rules could have changed since this posting date. 1. Start your business Before you can make any money, you must first spend money. Related: What's a domain name? Everything you need about domain names. Find the perfect domain name First, you need to choose an internet domain name for your online branding efforts. Your business is virtual so a domain name will allow people to find you online and visit the website. Take a look at these photos: Related: How do you buy a domain? Get a logo Next, you need to brand yourself with a professional Logo. A logo is an easy way for gamers to identify your server and serves as the foundation for your server's visual identity. Related: How do you design a logo? 12 steps Create a website You need to set up a server for a game server company. Your website is the place where gamers can find out more information about your server, its community, and the gaming opportunities your server has to offer. Your website can also be used to advertise affiliate programs or create an eCommerce store for sales made outside the game platform. If you have experience setting up your own server, then you should be able to build your own website. We recommend using WordPress for a game server business. If you don't feel like building the website yourself you can have it built by a professional while you work on setting up your Minecraft world. Related: How do you build a WordPress site for the first-time? Once you have established your branding and website, it's time to focus on bringing in the Green. 2. Server access charges It is not easy to make a profit when you have a large, beautiful Minecraft world. This requires a fast and reliable server. Mojang allows for you to charge any fee but it must be the identical for all players. You only need to decide if you will charge Baltic Avenue discount rates and Boardwalk premium access fees. It is important to consider the time taken to set up the server. If you create a unique gaming world that features beautiful structures, mini-games, expansions, and other amenities, charging access to the server is necessary. Even for a small game server owner looking to cash in, there are building costs that must be covered. 3. Collect membership fees Collecting membership fee is similar to collecting server access fee, but with memberships, you can give your players options for access duration. You can charge weekly, monthly, or annual membership fees depending on how long players want to access your Minecraft server. You must charge the same price to all players. The annual fee is almost always cheaper than other memberships. However a weekly charge might work well for those who just want to try the game before making a commitment or those who need it to be more affordable. However, regardless of what you charge, it must have the same terms and prices for all players. Related: How to create a membership website 4. Ask for donations Why would anyone spend money they don’t have to? Some people feel an obligation to pay for things they use, while others give to people or platforms they like so the developer can continue providing them with incredible gameplay. Most donors understand that their donations fuel timely updates and continuous expansion. Donations also allow admins to focus on the game server and not treat it like a side-gig. Players might feel alienated if they have to pay a fixed amount. On the other hand, generous players might take advantage of this opportunity to contribute higher amounts than the set rate. Taking a chance that many won't donate to play can be worrisome. If you have a beautiful world and are willing to put in the work, make frequent updates and add fun features, donations could be a huge payoff. 5. Sell digital merchandise Mojang does not allow for profits from Minecraft, but you are allowed to sell items in-game as long as they don't impact gameplay. Mojang has strict rules. For example, selling capes is against the law as they are an exclusive Minecraft item that requires players to fulfill certain conditions. To sell in-game merchandise you will need a way of accepting payments and creating your digital inventory. Minecraft Marketplace Minecraft Marketplace is a popular option. Minecraft Marketplace lets you sell skins and textures as well as adventure packs, mashups, mini-games, and track your purchases. Tebex Tebex is another favorite, formerly known under the name Buycraft. Tebex was originally designed to be a platform for the monetization Minecraft. However, it has been expanded to include other games in 2019. It's still a popular Minecraft eCommerce plugin that offers many digital inventory options. 6. Sponsorships are available Sponsors can sponsor your Minecraft server in exchange of something, such as promoting their product to the players. It takes some research to find the perfect sponsor. Google searches reveal that many companies are available to sponsor Minecraft-related activities. This is where your website comes in handy. Mojang doesn’t allow advertising on the gaming platform but you can post promotions or advertisements on your website. You could create sponsor packages that outline exactly what sponsors receive and at what cost. Strongcraft Alternatively, you could create a custom arrangement for individual sponsors. Sponsorship may be the best way for your Minecraft server to turn a profit quickly. Before you agree to sponsor a server, make sure you read the Mojang commercial terms. 7. Stream your gameplay Sailing in your boat and mining for diamonds, building your dream home, and tending to your crops are all fun activities. Avoiding creepers and disabling Enderman can create excitement and suspense that others will want to see. Per Mojang rules, you are allowed to put footage of the game on YouTube or any other website, but you have to stay within their Essential Requirements - you may create, use and distribute videos of you playing or using the game for any lawful reason, provided that you don't make any money from them. What can you do then? You must add your unique content to the video. You must also add enough content to make it profitable and worth the cost to someone who can afford it. There are many options for monetization depending on which platform you choose. To make money with ads, you may need to reach a minimum number of subscribers or viewers. You can also add affiliate hyperlinks to your profile or find sponsors for you stream. You'll need to have a consistent schedule, so viewers know when to watch, and your stream will need to offer something interesting/different enough to bring people back. If you need inspiration, check out what other Minecraft players are streaming on Twitch. Back to top Get ready to get paid Are you ready to make money with your Minecraft server? Minecraft's popularity and creativity allow you to create, modify, and adapt your Minecraft world. Your players will be happy if you provide a constantly changing, never-ending user experience. Related: How to Sell Video Games Online Are you a waste of time? (Neither do we. Fumbling for login credentials, running endless updates, explaining product purchases... No thanks. We built The Hub from GoDaddy Pro to save you an average three hours per month for every client site you maintain.