Customer need to select the site that is best for them. Traders have requirements in a site, while investors have other requirements.
Although most sites are geared to general securities and commodities, however customers may have special needs for the types of products they trade, and the markets in which they trade.
It seems that the most popular firms for on-line investing all of which provide excellent platforms and services are; Scottrade; Chas.Schwab; TDAmeritrade; Fidelity; E-Trade and Thinkorswim.
Please remember, the cheapest is not always the best.
Cheap is not a good criteria for selecting a brokerage firm, you should be looking at the firm's trading platform, their services and the type of business they are doing. If you want cheap, go to Sharebuilder but if you want good you go elsewhere.
It seems that the most popular firms for on-line investing all of which provide excellent platforms and services are; Scottrade; Chas.Schwab; TDAmeritrade; Fidelity; E-Trade and Thinkorswim.
But you must decide what's best for you not what's best for someone else
The best stock is purchases of shares of stock, ING Mutual Funds (Class O) and exchange-traded funds. All transactions occur online and are entirely at the discretion of the account holder, thus it is an execution-only service.
First, you need to go to a brokerage house, such as Scottrade or TD Ameritrade. They will have you fill out some papers and then you write them a check to deposit into your new account.
After that you can deposit more money by mail or transfer funds directly online from your bank.
The only requirement is that you be of age. If you are under age then you can have a parent or guardian open a custodial account for you.
Then you can ask the broker to buy shares of stock in your chosen company. You can do this at the time you set up your account or wait until you get home. When you are ready to buy, you can phone the broker or, most commonly, buy or sell shares directly on their web site.
The shares that you buy are kept on file at the brokerage. Many companies no longer issue certificates for shares but keep track electronically.
When or if your company issues a dividend, it goes directly to your account.
You can get more information at their websites.
. .
I would suggest ETrade. However, the brokerage site is only half
the pie. I would also suggest a good investing newsletter where
you get stock tips and you can also ask questions. I did
a video that might help. Take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEIbYhvoF...
Warren
I just wanted to start playing around with some stocks. I wanted a website that allowed me to buy stocks and then later sell them while tracking how they are doing in between. I don't want to pay a registration fee but I wouldn't be opposed to paying fees or percentages for buying/selling stocks. What website is my best option?
