How to Get Started With NFTs: A Step-By-Step Guide for Setting Up MetaMask and OpenSea
As more people search for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and start their own collection of digital assets, NFT markets like OpenSea are increasingly growing in popularity. To perform any NFT minting or trading activities on OpenSea, however, one must have an Ethereum-based wallet installed and funded with ETH.
In case you’re new to the game, here’s an easy guide to get you started. We’ll walk you through the process of setting up MetaMask, one of the leading crypto wallets for NFT trading, and show you how to link your wallet to OpenSea so you can make your first purchase right away. Stay tuned!
Setting Up MetaMask Wallet
- Go to the MetaMask website (https://metamask.io/) and click on “Download”.
2. Select Chrome for desktop or iOS/Android for mobile application. Then, click on the blue installation button at the bottom and follow the prompts to install and enable the MetaMask extension.
3. After a successful installation, you’ll be redirected to the “Welcome to MetaMask” page. Click on “Get Started”.
4. On the page that follows, select “Create a Wallet” to proceed.
5. Choose whether to send your usage data to MetaMask or not by hitting “I Agree” or “No Thanks”.
6. Create a secure password for your new account. Then, check the box to agree to the Terms of Use and click on “Create” to continue.
7. Watch the short video to learn more about Secret Recovery Phrase and how to keep it safe, then hit “Next”.
8. Click the lock to reveal your Secret Recovery Phrase. Make sure to write the words down and store them somewhere safe before proceeding; if this phrase is lost, you can’t access your wallet. Click on “Next”.
9. Select the words displayed in the box in the right order to confirm your backup phrase. Once done, click on “Confirm”.
10. Congratulations! Your MetaMask wallet is all set up. Click on “All Done” to log in.
Funding Your Wallet With ETH
Without some ETH in your wallet, you will not be able to buy NFTs from OpenSea. The good news? Topping up MetaMask with ETH is pretty easy. There are two ways to do this — Buying with a debit card or via bank transfer through Wyre or Transak or sending ETH directly from another wallet. To access these options:
- Simply log into your MetaMask wallet and click on “Buy”.
2. Select your most preferred method to fund your new wallet and follow the given instructions to complete the transaction.
Setting Up OpenSea With MetaMask
You have your wallet and a decent amount of Ethereum. Now let’s get to the good stuff!
- Head to the OpenSea website (https://opensea.io/).
2. Proceed to the top right and click on the Profile icon.
3. A page will be displayed with a list of wallet providers supported by OpenSea. Select MetaMask.
4. A new tab will appear on the right, prompting you to “Connect With MetaMask”. Click on “Next” then “Connect”, and you’re good to go!
5. By default, your account will be “Unnamed”, displaying only your wallet address below. To make it more personalized, click on the gear icon.
6. Select “Sign” from the pop-up tab.
7. You will be redirected to your profile page where you can add your username, bio, email address, profile picture, and more. Update your account accordingly.
8. With your MetaMask wallet now connected to OpenSea, you can instantly start browsing and shopping on the marketplace.
What’s Next? Engage With the NFT Community!
There’s more to NFTs than just having an amazing collection of art. Buying an NFT also means that you become part of a community where you can meet, exchange ideas and learn from other investors, collectors, and like-minded individuals and flaunt your collectibles with pride.
The NFT space has a huge following; it’s a community by itself. People invest time in it, collaborating, supporting one another, and buying into each other’s artwork.
So, in addition to being an active member of your project’s community, join a couple more forums in the NFT space. There are plenty of these on social platforms — Twitter, Discord, Reddit, Telegram…you name it. Just make sure the energy of the community you choose is in line with your belief system.
Also, take the time to completely explore and identify the really knowledgeable individuals in the space. Pay attention to the information they share, and do not be afraid to take part in the discussions that are occurring.
