Many casual investors don’t want to spend a lot of money on a full-service broker solution, but they also don’t want to buy stocks on their own. The best option for this type of investor is to opt for a discount brokerage service. The best broker to buy stocks is one that will provide you with plenty of educational tools so you can easily do your own research, but also offer customer service and live support to help you with your decision making.
Another important factor that casual traders should look for is the “Customer Portal”. It should allow you to set up your account and manage and monitor every aspect of your portfolio. Online discount brokers won’t force you to buy or sell stocks if you don’t want to, though they can offer you helpful advice. Whenever you want to make purchases or sales, the process should go smoothly through the “Account Management” feature.
Account security is very important. Make sure there is an extra layer of security added to your account. For example, to secure the connection between your PC and the broker’s website, there must be 128-bit SSL encryption. A dedicated security team should use top-notch monitoring to detect potential suspicious activity.
The best broker to buy shares with a good platform
The best broker to buy stocks online will offer a few different platforms to choose from, depending on your trading style, whether you’re an active high-volume trader or a more casual trader who wants to keep things simple. It’s always a good idea to have the option to trade a variety of stocks, including OTC stocks, penny stocks, as well as bonds, mutual funds, EFTs, etc.
Make sure you understand the fee structure of a particular brokerage firm before signing anything. Most of the time, there are some hidden fees here and there. It is very likely that you will pay more than the advertised rate. Certain types of accounts may even require a minimum deposit. Just because the “cost per trade” with a particular broker seems attractive, doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your needs. Always keep in mind that there will be some type of additional charge(s).
No online brokerage firm will be the best option for everyone. It will be up to you to prioritize the features that are crucial to you based on your personal trading style.
However, if there is one online “best broker to buy stocks” that is trusted by a variety of investors, it is Zacks Trade. Fees are low and reasonable, there are many investment options, and customer service is excellent. Get all the tools, resources and guidance you need to make good investments.
