How to Purchase Games on the Steam Platform

If you’ve ever wanted to explore PC gaming, Steam is one of the easiest ways to start. With over 50,000 games, from indie gems to AAA hits, Steam gives you instant access to titles across every genre. Millions of players around the world use it not just to play, but to connect, compete, and stream.

In this guide, you’ll learn from a gaming pro, me, how to set up your account, fund your wallet, and buy games on Steam. I’ll also include a few tips to save money, stay safe, and fix common issues.

How to Purchase Games on Steam – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create a Steam Account

To purchase games on the Steam platform you need to have a Steam account. Head to the official Steam website and click on “Join Steam.” Then, 

• Fill in personal information, including your email address 
• Agree to Steam’s terms of service and privacy policies, then click on ‘Continue’.
• Steam will send a confirmation email to you. To finish your registration, open your email and click the verification link to confirm your email address.
• Once confirmed, use your email and password to access your Steam account.

Step 2: Install the Steam App

If you’d rather use the Steam App, you’ll need to download and install the desktop app on your PC or Mac. Before installing Steam, ensure your PC meets these minimum system requirements:

• Windows 7 or later / macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later
• 512MB RAM
• 1GB free disk space
• Internet connection

Step 3: Fund Your Steam Wallet

You can’t buy a game on Steam unless you’ve added money to your Steam wallet. It is these funds you’ll then use to buy a game. You can fund your Steam Wallet using credit or debit card, PayPal or Steam gift cards. 

To add funds: 

1. Hover over your profile name (top right) > click “Account details”
2. Click “Add Funds to Your Steam Wallet”
3. Choose an amount from preset options (e.g. $5, $10, $25) or enter a custom amount
4. Select payment method, which includes debit/credit card, PayPal, or Steam gift card
5. Confirm and complete payment

Keep in mind that Steam uses regional pricing, so games may cost less (or more) depending on your country. Make sure your Steam region is set correctly to see prices in your local currency.

Step 4: Browse the Steam Store for Games

After you have successfully funded your wallet with your desired amount, you can search the Steam Store for the games you wish to buy. Use the search bar or explore categories like “Top Sellers,” “New & Trending,” or “Under $10.” You’ll find full games, DLCs, and in-game items.

Step 5: Add to Cart and Choose How to Buy

Once you find something you like, click Add to Cart. You can also choose to buy other in-game items or downloadable content by adding them to your cart, as long as you have enough funds in your Steam wallet. 

On the checkout page, you will be asked to pick between:

• Purchase for myself
• Purchase as a gift: Perfect for gifting your friends their favorite game. Just enter their email or Steam username

Step 6: Complete Your Purchase

When you’re done shopping, go to your cart and click the “Checkout” button. Follow the checkout prompts. Once the payment goes through, your game appears instantly in your Library. Click Install to start downloading.

How to Redeem a Steam Gift Card

Steam gift cards are my favorite way of funding purchases on the platform. With a gift card, you do not need to input your credit/debit card details, which makes shopping more secure. Follow these steps to redeem your Steam gift card:  

1. Log in to your Steam account
2. Go to Store > Redeem a Steam Wallet Code
3. Enter the code from your Steam gift card into the text box and click “Redeem” 
4. The gift card funds should now be in your wallet. Your wallet balance can be seen in the top right corner of the Steam page.

Where to Buy Steam Gift Cards

You can get Steam gift cards at retail stores or online, but for fast, trusted delivery, use Nosh. Nosh offers instant delivery of Steam codes you can redeem right away, with support for local payments. 

One reason I love this platform is because codes bought on Nosh are region-matched for convenience, and you can always reach out to their support if you need help.

Read More: How to Check Steam Gift Card Balance

Steam Sale: How to Save on Big Games

Steam is well-known for its massive seasonal sales, where you can grab popular games for a fraction of their original price. These sales happen four times a year and often feature discounts ranging from 10% to 90%.

• Steam Spring Sale (Usually March): A great time to grab early-year releases at lower prices.

• Steam Summer Sale (Late June – Early July): This is Steam’s biggest and longest sale. Almost every game gets a discount. Expect bundles, flash deals, and themed events.

• Steam Autumn Sale (Around late November): Timed around Black Friday, this sale offers generous discounts and is a perfect opportunity to pick up games before the holidays.

• Steam Winter Sale (Late December – Early January): Ends the year with deep discounts across most titles, perfect for spending those holiday gift cards.

Pro Tip: Add games to your Wishlist, so Steam will automatically notify you by email when any of them go on sale. Many users save up to 70% just by waiting for the right sale.

Common Problems When Buying Games on Steam and How to Fix Them

1. Payment Declined

• Double-check your card details or try a different method (PayPal, another card, or a Steam Wallet code).
• Clear your browser cache or use the Steam app instead of your browser.
• If the issue continues, contact your bank to ensure your card supports international transactions.

2. Region Restrictions

Steam games are sometimes locked to specific regions for licensing reasons.

• Make sure your Steam account region matches your current location.
• Avoid using a VPN during purchases, as it can cause your account to get flagged or restricted.

3. Steam Gift Card Not Working

• Double-check that you typed the code correctly (no spaces).
• Make sure the gift card is valid for your region.
• If you bought it from a reliable seller like Nosh, support is always available when you need it.

4. Age Verification Issues

If you’re blocked from viewing or buying certain games:

• Go to your Steam Profile > Edit Profile
• Update your birthdate to match your real age (Steam uses this to show or restrict age-rated content)

5. Purchased Game Not Showing in Library

• First, check your purchase history under Help > Steam Support > Purchases
• If the payment is confirmed but the game is missing, restart the app or check your filters (like “Installed only”)

Steam Refund Policy: Can You Return a Game?

Yes, Steam allows refunds, but only if you meet a few basic rules. If you bought a game and it didn’t work well on your PC, wasn’t what you expected, or was purchased by mistake, you can request a refund.

You’re eligible for a refund if:

• The game was bought within the last 14 days
• You’ve played it for less than 2 hours total

You can request a refund for full games, DLC, or in-game purchases (as long as they haven’t been used). Just go to Help > Steam Support > Purchases, select the game, and follow the refund request steps. You’ll usually get your money back in 5–7 days, returned to your Steam Wallet. 

Keeping Your Account Safe While Shopping

Steam is safe to use, but only if you protect your account. With thousands of scams online, it’s important to secure your account before making purchases.

What You Should Do:

• Enable Steam Guard: This adds two-factor authentication (2FA) to your login. Every time someone tries to access your account, you’ll receive a code on your mobile app or email.

• Use a strong, unique password: Avoid reusing passwords from other sites.

• Never share your login info: Even if someone claims to be “Steam Support.”

• Buy gift cards and wallet codes only from trusted sellers like Nosh to avoid fake or invalid codes.

FAQs About Buying Games on Steam

1. Can I use a Steam gift card without a credit or debit card?

Yes! A Steam gift card is a great option if you don’t want to link a bank card. Just redeem the card and use the wallet balance to buy games, DLCs, or in-game items.

2. Where’s the best place to buy Steam gift cards in Nigeria?

You can buy Steam gift cards instantly on Nosh. They support Naira payments, offer quick delivery, and are trusted by thousands of users.

3. How do I know if a game will run on my PC?

On the game’s store page, scroll down to the “System Requirements” section. Compare it with your computer’s specs. If you’re unsure, tools like Can You RUN It can help.

4. Can I share my Steam games with someone else?

Yes, you can share your Steam games using Steam Family Sharing. It lets you share your game library with up to 5 accounts on 10 devices. However, only one person can play at a time.

5. How long does it take to receive a Steam Wallet code from Nosh?

Usually within minutes. Once payment is confirmed, your Steam code appears in your Nosh dashboard or email. If there’s any delay, Nosh’s support is fast and helpful.

Conclusion

Now you know how to buy games on Steam, how to stay safe, and how to save money doing it. Whether you’re a casual gamer or just getting started, Steam gives you a massive game library and a smooth shopping experience.

And if you need a quick, reliable way to top up your wallet? Trust Nosh for fast Steam gift cards backed by local payment options and real-time delivery. Happy gaming!

How to Check Steam Gift Card Balance

1. Log in to your Steam account: Access your Steam account by inserting your email address and password.

2. Check your Steam Wallet balance: Easily check your Steam wallet at the top right side of the Steam page after you log in. You can also check other funds you have in your Steam wallet.

3. Review the transaction history: To check a complete history of your Steam Wallet transactions, such as the redeeming of Steam gift cards, tap on the “Account Details” button in the Steam navigation bar and then choose “Transaction History” from the drop-down menu.

Read More: How to Check Steam Gift Card Balance

Conclusion

We spoke about Steam, an online gaming platform that is common in today’s world and how to purchase games on it. Then, we dived into how to fund your Steam wallet, which includes, Paypal, Credit cards, or Steam gift cards. Furthermore, we highlighted how quickly set up a Steam account, which includes, filling in your personal information, and your region and completing the captcha. Moving on, we spoke about how to check gift card balance.

With that being said, I believe you learned how to purchase games on the Steam platform. Now, go on and enjoy your online gaming experience.