Getting Started with NFTs

Complete guide for developers and users to create, trade, and mint NFTs

Choose Your Path

Different approaches based on your goals

Buy & Collect

Start collecting NFTs from existing marketplaces

  • • Set up a wallet
  • • Buy cryptocurrency
  • • Browse marketplaces
  • • Make your first purchase

Create & Mint

Turn your digital art into NFTs

  • • Create digital artwork
  • • Choose a blockchain
  • • Upload to marketplace
  • • Mint your NFT

Develop & Build

Build NFT applications and smart contracts

  • • Learn smart contracts
  • • Set up development environment
  • • Deploy contracts
  • • Build applications

For Collectors & Traders

Step-by-step guide to start collecting NFTs

1

Set Up Your Wallet

Choose and install a crypto wallet that supports NFTs. MetaMask is the most popular choice for beginners.

Recommended Wallets:

  • MetaMask: Browser extension, beginner-friendly
  • Trust Wallet: Mobile app, multi-chain support
  • Phantom: Best for Solana NFTs
2

Buy Cryptocurrency

Purchase cryptocurrency to pay for NFTs and transaction fees. ETH is needed for Ethereum NFTs, SOL for Solana.

Where to Buy:

  • Coinbase: User-friendly, direct wallet transfer
  • Binance: Lower fees, more options
  • Kraken: Established exchange, good security
3

Explore Marketplaces

Browse NFT marketplaces to discover collections and understand pricing before making your first purchase.

Popular Marketplaces:

  • OpenSea: Largest marketplace, all categories
  • Magic Eden: Solana-focused, gaming NFTs
  • SuperRare: Curated digital art
4

Make Your First Purchase

Start with affordable NFTs to learn the process. Always verify authenticity and understand gas fees.

⚠️ Before You Buy:

  • • Check the creator's verification status
  • • Review the contract address
  • • Understand total costs (price + gas fees)
  • • Research the project's roadmap and community

For Creators & Artists

Turn your digital creations into NFTs

1

Create Your Digital Art

Design unique digital artwork, music, videos, or other creative content that you want to tokenize as an NFT.

Popular Creation Tools:

  • Digital Art: Photoshop, Procreate, Blender
  • Generative Art: Processing, p5.js, Python
  • 3D Models: Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D
2

Choose Your Blockchain

Select the blockchain network where you'll mint your NFT. Each has different costs and audiences.

Ethereum

  • • Largest NFT ecosystem
  • • Higher gas fees
  • • Most established marketplaces

Solana

  • • Very low transaction costs
  • • Fast transactions
  • • Growing ecosystem
3

Upload and Mint

Upload your artwork to an NFT marketplace and mint it as a token on the blockchain.

Minting Process:

  1. Connect your wallet to the marketplace
  2. Upload your file and add metadata
  3. Set royalty percentage (typically 5-10%)
  4. Pay minting fees and confirm transaction
4

Market and Promote

Build an audience and promote your NFTs through social media and community engagement.

Marketing Tips:

  • • Build a following on Twitter and Discord
  • • Share your creative process
  • • Engage with the NFT community
  • • Consider collaborations with other artists

For Developers

Build NFT applications and smart contracts

1

Learn the Fundamentals

Understand blockchain basics, smart contracts, and NFT standards before diving into development.

Key Concepts:

  • ERC-721: Standard for unique NFTs
  • ERC-1155: Multi-token standard
  • IPFS: Decentralized file storage
  • Metadata: NFT properties and attributes
2

Set Up Development Environment

Install necessary tools and frameworks for blockchain development.

Essential Tools:

  • Node.js: JavaScript runtime
  • Hardhat/Truffle: Smart contract frameworks
  • Web3.js/Ethers.js: Blockchain interaction libraries
  • MetaMask: Browser wallet for testing
3

Write Smart Contracts

Create NFT smart contracts using Solidity for Ethereum or Rust for Solana.

// Basic ERC-721 NFT Contract
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

import "@openzeppelin/contracts/token/ERC721/ERC721.sol";
import "@openzeppelin/contracts/access/Ownable.sol";

contract MyNFT extends ERC721, Ownable {
    uint256 public tokenCounter;
    
    constructor() ERC721("MyNFT", "MNFT") {
        tokenCounter = 0;
    }
    
    function mintNFT(address to, string memory tokenURI) 
        public onlyOwner returns (uint256) {
        uint256 newTokenId = tokenCounter;
        _safeMint(to, newTokenId);
        _setTokenURI(newTokenId, tokenURI);
        tokenCounter++;
        return newTokenId;
    }
}
4

Build Frontend Applications

Create user interfaces that interact with your smart contracts using modern web frameworks.

Popular Tech Stack:

  • React/Next.js: Frontend framework
  • Ethers.js: Ethereum interaction
  • IPFS: Decentralized storage
  • The Graph: Blockchain data indexing

Learning Resources

Expand your NFT knowledge with these resources

Documentation

  • • OpenZeppelin Contracts
  • • Ethereum Developer Docs
  • • Solana Developer Resources
  • • IPFS Documentation

Courses

  • • CryptoZombies (Solidity)
  • • Buildspace Projects
  • • Alchemy University
  • • Moralis Academy

Communities

  • • Developer DAO
  • • NFT Discord Servers
  • • Ethereum Stack Exchange
  • • Reddit r/NFT

Tools

  • • Remix IDE (Solidity)
  • • Hardhat Framework
  • • OpenSea Testnet
  • • Pinata (IPFS)

Success Tips

Start Small: Begin with low-cost experiments to learn the process without significant risk.

Focus on Utility: Create or collect NFTs that have real value beyond speculation.

Build Community: Engage with others in the space to learn and grow together.

Stay Updated: The NFT space evolves rapidly - keep learning and adapting.