Entering the stock market and buying stocks for your own investment portfolio was once reserved only for those high net worth investors with large deposit amounts.
These days the internet has opened up so many more options for regular investors to join the stock market.
While it's much easier to buy stocks online these days, it's important you take some time to research the online trading platform in depth before you open an account.
Not all sites are the same and not all sites will be as helpful as others.
  When you're searching for ways to enhance your buying stocks online activities, always be sure you check the intended site's reputation.
Visit investor bulletin boards and read what other users are saying about that particular online stock trading site or stock brokerage option.
    Most of the big-name stock trading companies offer online trading accounts that will let you buy and sell stocks with the click of a button.
While these might seem like the most logical choices, several smaller sites are equally capable of executing your trades, but they may offer a lower range of fees to complete your transactions.
    Always ask if there are any hidden fees associated with your account.
You might find that executing a simple buy or sell trade may appear to have a low flat fee attached, but your account may also be using a form of leverage that can have interest rates attached and may even require a specific minimum balance.
These extra expenses might cost you more than you expected.
  As part of your online trading platform research, you should also make sure that you'll have access to all the stocks you want to buy.
Many websites can limit the range of stocks available to investors, while some companies may include access to buying stocks on foreign stock exchanges as well.
  Always check the privacy policy and verify that the company you're thinking of buying stocks online through is reputable.
After all, you'll be putting your private financial information onto the site, so you need to know that it's secure.
The online trading platform you choose should offer secure, encrypted and locked pages for your private information.
  Sometimes you may need technical assistance or customer support to verify the validity of a particular trade.
Even the most experienced investors require customer service from time to time.
Regardless of the fee schedule you're looking at, always take into account the availability of customer service or technical support.
  Buying stocks online can make investing less time-intensive and much quicker, but it's vitally important you choose the right site to use as your trading platform.
While the vast majority of online stock trading sites are extremely reputable, it's always wise to remember there are some that are not!