Creating a Solo Like Server for friends?

I want to create a server where I myself can enjoy and do everything, but also my friends who want to start do their own bases, etc can also enjoy it. We like to do our own thing but be on the same server in games, help each other from time to time, etc.

I'm wondering what suggestions should I consider, if I decide to make my server public is there any rules if I recall this game has a lot of policies I should look into as an admin?

We just want to have fun and kind of be jack of all trades, but still have a tiny bit of effort.