If you’re reading this, then you’re probably curious about what NFTs are and how to buy them.
In this step-by-step guide, we will explain everything that you need to know about purchasing your first NFT. We’ll cover the basics about NFTs, different types of projects that use NFTs, the costs associated with acquiring them, and where to find high-quality NFT projects.
If you are looking for information on how to mint an NFT, read this guide instead.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
How to buy your first NFT step-by-step
Here is how you can buy an NFT for the first time in 6 easy steps:
- Step #1: Create a crypto wallet
- Step #2: Browse through NFT marketplaces
- Step #3: Find and review an NFT project
- Step #4: Buy and deposit crypto to your wallet
- Step #5: Purchase an NFT that you like
- Step #6: Check to see if the NFT is in your wallet
Step #1: Create a crypto wallet
Before you can buy an NFT, you’ll need to set up a cryptocurrency wallet. This is where you’ll store your NFTs (and other crypto assets).
There are many different types of wallets to choose from, but I recommend using a software wallet like MetaMask or Trust Wallet. These wallets are easy to use and allow you to store a variety of different types of crypto.
As an example, I’ll explain how to start using MetaMask.
The setup process is simple:
- Go to the MetaMask website and click “Download Now.”
- Once the download is complete, open the MetaMask extension and click “Create a Wallet.”
- Enter your email address and create a strong password.
- Click “Create.”
- Save your seed phrase.
You will be given a secret recovery phrase or a seed phrase. This is a 12-word phrase that you’ll use to restore your wallet if you ever lose access to it. Make sure to store it in a safe place!
And that’s it! You’ve now created your MetaMask wallet.
Step #2: Browse through NFT marketplaces
Now that you have a wallet set up, it’s time to start looking for NFTs to purchase. There are many different marketplaces that sell NFTs: OpenSea, LooksRare, Foundation, and more.
One of the most popular NFT marketplaces is OpenSea.
As an example, I’ll explain how to navigate through OpenSea (other platforms can be used in a similar way):
- Go to the OpenSea website where you will see different menu tabs: Explore, Stats, Resources, and Create.
- For the most part, you will be using Explore to browse through the different NFT categories.
- Inside the Explore tab, you will see NFT projects under various categories: Art, Games, Collectibles, and more. You can check Trending and Top projects that are currently popular in the NFT space.
If you have a project in mind, you can also use the search bar to find specific NFTs or creators.
Step #3: Find and review an NFT project
Once you see an NFT project that you’re interested in, always review that project.
I use the following process to make sure a project is legit and worth investing in:
- Review the project’s website.
- Find out which team is behind the project.
- Check their social media accounts (Twitter, Telegram, Discord).
- See if the project has a blog or an active community.
- Google the project to see if there are any red flags.
- Search for any press articles written about the project.
- Finally, check the project’s roadmap or white paper.
This might seem like a lot, but it’s important to do your due diligence before buying an NFT (or any crypto asset for that matter).
» Learn more: 40 Best NFT projects worth checking
Step #4: Buy and deposit crypto to your wallet
If you don’t own any cryptocurrency, you will have to purchase some and deposit it to the wallet that you are going to use to purchase NFTs.
You can buy cryptocurrency (in our case for OpenSea you will need Ethereum) via any available method in your country: crypto exchanges, inside your wallet, crypto ATMs, Peer-to-peer (PTP) platforms, or directly from people.
Once you own Ethereum cryptocurrency, you can deposit it into your wallet.
I will use MetaMask as an example again.
Deposit Ethereum to your MetaMask:
- Go to your MetaMask and copy your Ethereum address.
- Go to the platform where you own Ethereum (exchange, PTP, etc.) and withdraw your funds to the address that you just copied.
- The transaction will take a few minutes to confirm. Once it’s confirmed, you’ll see the ETH in your MetaMask.
Buy Ethereum directly inside MetaMask:
- Go to your MetaMask and click the Buy button.
- Choose one of the available options to buy Ethereum (ETH).
- Follow the steps to complete the transaction.
- The transaction will take a few minutes to confirm. Once it’s confirmed, you’ll see the ETH in your MetaMask.
Step #5: Purchase an NFT that you like
Now that you have ETH in your MetaMask, you’re ready to start buying NFTs.
You will need to be logged into your OpenSea account, have funds in your wallet, and your wallet has to be linked to the OpenSea account before completing the transaction.
All purchases will pass through your MetaMask wallet, which you’ll need to review, sign, and confirm.
There are three ways to buy an NFT:
- “Buy now” option;
- “Make an offer”; and
- “On auction”.
You can filter through these options when you are inside any NFT collection on the OpenSea.
Using the buy now option
This is the way that I buy NFTs most of the time. If you don’t want to take part in any auctions or try to buy an NFT for a lower price by placing a bet, you can purchase the NFT immediately by using the buy now option. This is the easiest and fastest way to get an NFT. You simply buy it at a set price that is determined by the seller.
To buy an NFT using the buy now option:
- Go to the OpenSea website and find an NFT that you like.
- Click on the NFT and scroll down to the “Buy Now” section.
- Review the cost of the NFT in ETH and click the “Buy Now” button.
- It will take a moment to load and you will see a MetaMask popup asking you to confirm the transaction.
- Inside that popup, you will see the amount of ETH you will spend on an NFT as well as the gas fee. The gas fee is a transaction fee that goes to the miners who confirm transactions on the Ethereum network.
- If everything looks good, click the “Confirm” button inside MetaMask.
- The transaction will take a few minutes to confirm. Once it’s confirmed, you’ll see the NFT in your MetaMask wallet.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully purchased your first NFT.
Making an offer
If you want to buy an NFT but think the price is too high, you can make a different price offer to the seller. By making an offer, you’re trying to purchase an NFT for a lower price than available through the buy now option.
Note: Offers are made in a different cryptocurrency called WETH (wrapped ETH). WETH and ETH are worth exactly the same amount and can be exchanged/swapped directly within your MetaMask wallet.
To make an offer:
- Go to the OpenSea website and find an NFT that you like.
- Click on the NFT and find the “Make Offer” button.
- You will see a popup window where you need to enter the amount of WETH and expiration details (date and time) of your offer.
- Click the “Make Offer” button inside MetaMask. This amount of WETH won’t be taken out of your wallet at this point. This is just an offer amount that you are willing to pay.
- The transaction will take a few minutes to confirm. Once it’s confirmed, your offer has been made and the seller will receive a notification about it.
- The seller can now either accept, reject, or make a counteroffer to your original offer.
- If the seller accepts your offer, the WETH amount will be taken out of your wallet automatically and you’ll see the purchased NFT in your MetaMask wallet.
- If the seller makes a counteroffer, you’ll receive a notification about it and you can either accept, reject, or make a new offer.
- This process continues until either the buyer or the seller runs out of offers or one party accepts the other party’s offer.
On auction
I don’t use this option often, but you do also have the opportunity to buy NFTs that are auctioned on OpenSea.
Use the “On auction” option:
- Go to the OpenSea website and find an NFT that you like.
- Click on the NFT and review the details of the auction.
- Check when the auction ends, any existing offers, and place your own bid.
When the auction ends and the reserved price by the seller is met, the highest bidder wins the NFT and pays that amount of WETH to the seller. This transaction will go through automatically and WETH will be taken from the bidder’s wallet.
These are three different ways that you can purchase NFTs on OpenSea. I hope that this info is helpful and you feel more confident about buying your first NFT.
Step #6: Check to see if the NFT is in your wallet
Once you purchase an NFT, you can check to see if it’s in your wallet.
- You can do this inside your MetaMask account by clicking on the “NFTs” tab. This option is available on the mobile app but not inside the browser extension.
- You can also view all of your NFTs inside the OpenSea website by clicking on “Account” -> “My collections”. All the NFT that you purchase will show up when your MetaMask wallet is connected to the OpenSea.
If you want to purchase more NFTs, just repeat this process. Now that you know how to buy an NFT, the sky’s the limit. Start collecting those digital assets and show them off to your friends and family.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about NFTs:
What is an NFT?
An NFT is a non-fungible token. Basically, this means that each NFT is unique and can’t be replaced by another token. This makes them distinct from regular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible (i.e. one BTC is interchangeable with any other BTC).
NFTs are similar to crypto, and they’re stored on a blockchain. This means that they’re permanent and transparent, making them resistant to fraud and hacking.
» Learn more: What is an NFT?
How do NFTs work?
NFTs work by representing digital assets on a blockchain. This could be anything from art and music to in-game items and collectibles. When you buy an NFT, you’re essentially buying a piece of unique digital real estate that no one else can own.
You can do the following with NFTs that you own :
- Trade them;
- Sell them;
- Collect them; and
- Use them in games or other applications.
What are NFTs used for?
NFTs can be used for a variety of purposes. The most popular use case is in-game items and collectibles. For example, the popular game CryptoKitties allows players to buy, sell, and trade virtual cats. These cats are stored as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain.
» Learn more: NFT games: A guide for beginners
Other popular use cases for NFTs include:
- Digital art;
- Music;
- Real estate;
- Domain names; and
- Much more!
Why do people buy NFTs?
Some people purchase NFTs because they like digital items and they find them valuable, while others do it for investment purposes. There is a big secondary market for NFTs where people buy and sell NFTs for profit.
What is a good example of an NFT?
There are many NFT projects, but some notable ones are CryptoPunks, BAYC, and Doodles.
How much do NFTs cost?
When NFT is created for the first time (this process is also called NFT mint) the price of NFTs is set by the project creators and differs from project to project. It could be anywhere from 0.001 ETH to 2 ETH, however usually mint prices set to be lower somewhere around 0.05 ETH for some solid projects.
The price of an NFT in the second market depends on the project, item rarity, and the current market conditions. You can find cheap NFTs for a few cents and expensive NFTs worth tens of thousands of dollars.
How do you know which NFT to buy?
If you’re buying an NFT for investment purposes, do your own research about the project and the team behind it. If you’re buying an NFT for personal use, buy what you like and what fits your budget.
Conclusion
Purchasing an NFT is slightly different from buying other crypto assets since you’re buying a digital item that is unique and can’t be replicated. This guide is intended to help you with the basics of buying your first NFT.
If you still have questions about NFTs or the buying process, please feel free to contact me.
Happy hunting!