Choosing a Project
A framework for researching NFT projects before you buy.
Before you buy into any NFT project, it pays to do a little homework. Below is a practical framework for weighing up a collection. Not every box needs to be ticked — but the more you can answer confidently, the better your decision.
The single most valuable habit in this space is to DYOR — Do Your Own Research. NFTs are a high‑risk, speculative asset. Only commit what you can afford to lose.
1. Art & first impression
The art is usually what hooks people first. Ask yourself:
- Does it genuinely appeal to you? Would you be happy to show it off?
- Does it look like a real artist was involved, or is it generic and templated?
- Is it original, or does it copy an existing collection?
- What role does the art play in the wider project?
It is worth researching the artist too — their past work and how they talk about the collection tell you a lot.
2. Team background
A team you can trust is critical to a project's success.
- Is the team doxxed, or at least publicly accountable? Anonymous teams carry more risk.
- What have they built before? Do they have a track record in tech or crypto?
- Do they have a real digital footprint — Twitter, LinkedIn, previous projects?
Bonus points if experienced, reputable people back the team.
3. Vision, roadmap & utility
- Vision — Is there a long‑term plan beyond the initial drop? Does the team want to build something lasting, and involve the community in it?
- Roadmap — Are the milestones concrete and achievable, or vague filler? Detail matters.
- Utility — What does the token actually do? Does it grant access, generate value, or is it purely collectible? Understand what rights you hold as an owner.
4. Uniqueness, scarcity & rarity
- How does the project stand out from the hundreds of similar ones?
- How exclusive is it? How large is the supply, and how much will be publicly available?
See Rarity Scores for how DeadRare ranks individual NFTs within a collection.
5. Team & community engagement
- Team — Are they active, transparent and responsive? Do they welcome feedback and recognise contributors? The best teams under‑promise and over‑deliver.
- Community — Is the conversation about the project's future and ideas, or purely floor price and hype? Can you have a real discussion, or is it wall‑to‑wall "GM" and "WAGMI"?
Healthy communities grow organically, not through invite contests that inflate member counts.
6. Digital presence
Which platforms is the project active on, and how large and engaged is its following? Read the comments — the general sentiment tells you how the wider market sees it.
7. Other considerations
Is the mint or secondary price something you can comfortably afford to lose? There are no guarantees in NFTs. If you need liquidity, take profit when it makes sense for you; otherwise be patient, keep your emotions in check, and trust your research.
After working through these points you should have a clear, honest picture of what a project can — and can't — realistically deliver.