01 Start with the edition
Write down whether your friends use Java or Bedrock, their client versions, and the exact server distribution. The Java download is not a Bedrock server. Use the official download and its current runtime instructions; avoid copying a Java command from an old tutorial.
02 Make a launch record
Create a small record with server version, operating system, runtime version, world name, intended player count and chosen add-ons. Start with the unmodified server. Confirm it can create a world and shut down cleanly before installing a mod loader or plugins. Read the license and accept it only if you agree.
03 Test three boundaries
First connect from the same computer, then from another device on the local network, and finally from a trusted player outside your network. A local success does not prove internet reachability. Check the configured listening port, host firewall and router mapping separately. If your ISP uses carrier-grade NAT, a router mapping alone may not provide inbound access.
04 Pass the handover test
Have a second player join, save a small change, disconnect, restart the server and confirm that change persists. Save a backup while the server is stopped and restore it into a separate directory. Keep that verified backup before changing versions. This checklist is a planning guide, not a benchmark of a hosting provider.