What is an NFT Storefront?

Last Updated:
January 16, 2023
What is an NFT Storefront Illustrative Image

Learn about the exciting world of NFTs and discover the benefits of having your own NFT storefront. Get our comprehensive guide on NFT storefronts.

NFTs have taken the digital world by storm, allowing creators and brands to monetize their digital assets like never before. An NFT storefront is an individual digital marketplace where creators and organizations can buy, sell, and trade NFTs via a more branded experience.

In this article, we will dive into what exactly an NFT storefront is, how it works, and the benefits of creating your own storefront as opposed to selling on an existing marketplace.

If you’re questioning whether to sell directly on a marketplace like OpenSea or create your own custom storefront, this article is for you.

What is an NFT Storefront

An NFT storefront is a website that is owned and operated by a single brand. It is a place where the brand can list, sell and manage their own NFT projects. It allows for a personalised and curated experience for the buyers and creates a unique identity for the brand's digital assets. The brand has full control over the branding, design, and user experience of the storefront. It allows them to personalize the overall experience for the buyers and create a unique identity for their digital assets. This can be especially beneficial for brands that have a strong reputation or a dedicated customer base.

The use of blockchain technology ensures that the NFTs are unique and cannot be replicated, making them highly desirable to collectors and investors. Furthermore, NFTs can be easily bought and sold on various secondary marketplaces and platforms, making it easy for brands to reach a global audience and for buyers to discover and purchase new and exciting digital assets.

In general, NFT storefronts are a unique online platform that allows brands to sell their digital assets in the form of NFT projects, using blockchain technology for security and transparency. They provide brands with a way to personalize their sales experience, and to build their reputation in the digital art world, while also providing buyers with a curated and personalized experience for discovering and purchasing unique digital assets.

RTFKT NFT Storefront Example (Source)

NFT Storefront Benefits

Creating your own NFT storefront has a number of benefits over simply selling on an existing marketplace. One of the biggest benefits is that you have complete control over your user experience. By building your own storefront, you can create a unique and personalized experience for your customers, making it more likely that they will return to your store in the future.

Another benefit of creating your own NFT storefront is the ability to set your own prices. On a marketplace, you may have to compete with other sellers and accept lower prices for your NFTs. By building your own storefront, you have the freedom to set your own prices and potentially earn more revenue. Albeit this is a less common concern with digital collectibles and NFT art where price competition is less direct.

Additionally, creating your own NFT storefront allows you to connect directly with your customers and build a community around your NFTs. By having your own store, you can create a sense of exclusivity and offer special promotions and discounts to your most loyal customers.

Lastly, creating your own NFT storefront allows you to have full control over the sales process, and the ability to track and manage your sales data, which can be useful in understanding your customer base and making strategic decisions for your business.

Overall, creating your own NFT storefront gives you more control over your brand, pricing, and customer engagement, and can be a great way to monetize your digital assets and build a community around your work.

How to set up an NFT Store

Setting up an NFT storefront can seem daunting at first, but with the right steps and tools, it can be a relatively straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up an NFT storefront:

  1. Choose a blockchain platform: The first step in setting up an NFT storefront is to choose the blockchain platform that you will use to mint and sell your NFTs. Some of the most popular platforms include Ethereum, Polygon, and Flow. Each platform has its own unique features and advantages, so it's important to research and choose the one that best suits your needs.
  2. Create a Wallet: Once you've chosen a blockchain platform, you'll need to create a wallet if you don’t have one for your select chain already. This will typically involve setting up a wallet address and obtaining some of the native cryptocurrency of the blockchain platform you've chosen.
  3. Mint your NFTs: Once you have your wallet set up, you can start minting your NFTs. This process involves creating unique digital assets and then using smart contract code to mint them on the blockchain. There are various tools and platforms available that can help you with this process, including our Metacommerce Studio.
  4. Build your storefront: With your NFTs minted, you can now build your storefront. This can be done through a variety of different platforms, such as OpenSea, Rarible, and Metacommerce, which offer customizable templates and easy-to-use tools for creating and managing your storefront. You can also build your own website or use a website builder like Wix or Shopify, and add minting functionality with a Metacommerce minting embed.
  5. Promote your storefront: Once your storefront is set up and ready to go, it's time to promote it. This can be done through various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and online advertising. You can also collaborate with other creators and artists to help spread the word about your storefront.
  6. Manage and update your NFTs: After your storefront is set up and running, it's important to keep it updated with new NFTs, and manage the existing ones, you can use the platform's built-in tools to manage your inventory, set prices, and handle transactions.

By following these steps, you'll be able to set up your own NFT storefront and start selling your unique digital assets. Remember to keep in mind that, as the market is constantly evolving, it's important to stay up to date with the latest trends, features and best practices in the NFT space.

NFT Marketplace (Opensea) vs NFT Storefront (PopArtCats)

Difference between NFT Marketplaces and NFT Storefronts

When it comes to selling NFTs, brands and creators have two main options - NFT marketplaces and NFT storefronts. While both provide an opportunity to monetize digital assets, they have distinct differences in terms of audience reach, control over branding, and the overall user experience. 

In this section, we'll delve into the key differences between NFT marketplaces and NFT storefronts, and explore the pros and cons of each option.

NFT marketplace

An NFT marketplace is a platform where multiple brands and creators can list and sell their NFTs. These marketplaces are often open to anyone, and they typically have a wide variety of different types of digital assets available for purchase. They offer a great opportunity for NFT projects and brands to reach a large audience and for buyers to discover new and exciting digital assets. However, it can be difficult to stand out among the thousands of other projects who are also listing their NFTs on the marketplace.

NFT Storefront

An NFT storefront, on the other hand, is an online platform that is owned and operated by a single brand or creator. The storefront allows the brand to have full control over the branding, design, and user experience. It allows them to personalize the overall experience for the buyers and create a unique identity for their digital assets. This can be especially beneficial for brands or creators who have a strong brand or a dedicated fan base.

In sum, both NFT marketplaces and NFT storefronts have their own advantages and disadvantages. NFT marketplaces are great for reaching a large audience and discovering new digital assets, while NFT storefronts offer more control over the branding and user experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the brands/creator's goals, target audience, and marketing strategy.

Closing thoughts

In conclusion, NFT storefronts are a game-changer for creators, brands and artists in the digital art world. They provide an innovative way for them to monetize their digital assets and reach a global audience. 

The use of blockchain technology ensures that the NFTs are unique and cannot be replicated, making them highly desirable to collectors and investors. The personalized buying experience, control over branding and user experience, and the ability to build a unique identity for their digital assets, is what sets NFT storefronts apart from the traditional marketplace. 

The emergence of NFT storefronts is a testament to the growing popularity of blockchain technology and the desire for creators to monetize their digital content in a secure and transparent way. As the NFT market continues to grow, it's clear that NFT storefronts will play a significant role in shaping the future of the digital economy and the art market.