| Most newcomers to online financial trading will look at | | | | - the people behind the name. |
| opening a discount stock trading account. There are | | | | Most online brokers operate "demo" accounts so you |
| thousands to choose from, so where should you | | | | can practice your system without risking real money |
| start? | | | | until you feel confident enough. These accounts |
| The best place to start is the online forums. If you | | | | should be free to run, and should be available for an |
| type "stock trading forums" into your favorite search | | | | unlimited time. You should be able to have as many |
| engine you should find plenty of comment about | | | | demo accounts as you wish. If you're going to |
| various online stock brokers. You can contact forum | | | | engage in discount futures trading then this is vital. |
| contributors and ask them directly for their opinion | | | | You may be offered a training course or video DVD, |
| about two or three brokers if you need a | | | | but be careful about buying anything like that from |
| professional viewpoint. Or you can simply type the | | | | your broker. Remember that they are out to make |
| name of the broker you are investigating into your | | | | money and very often they make it by playing |
| search engine box and see if you can find any | | | | bookmaker and being on the opposite side of the |
| reviews or comments on them. | | | | trade to you, so is it really in their interests to have a |
| If online financial trading is new to you then probably | | | | clientele thoroughly clued up on all the hottest |
| the most important thing is not so much the fees | | | | techniques? Avoid any brokers that are too |
| (important though that aspect is) as the ease of use | | | | aggressive in their marketing of training to their |
| of the online interface on the broker's web site. Look | | | | clients. |
| for clarity and the ability to navigate with the | | | | When you have signed up with a broker you should |
| minimum number of clicks. Also, the quality of help | | | | be allocated an account manager. He should |
| available if needed, and the speed with which it can | | | | telephone you within the first few days to ask if he |
| be obtained, can be vital. | | | | can help you get started and to establish if you are a |
| You'll probably quickly find a site that you feel | | | | new trader or a seasoned pro. It makes a lot of |
| comfortable with, and it's then just a matter of | | | | difference if you get on well with your account |
| checking that the broker operating it is trustworthy | | | | manager, as if you are in a fix or have an urgent |
| and reliable. One factor to take into account is how | | | | enquiry he is the man (or woman) who can help put |
| long it has been trading. It's generally safer to place | | | | you right. |
| your hard-earned money with a firm that has been | | | | Finally, if you are in any way dissatisfied with your |
| around longer than just a few months or years. | | | | broker, don't be afraid to terminate your account and |
| Stock brokers have to be regulated, although the | | | | withdraw your money at the earliest possible |
| exact terms of regulation vary from one country to | | | | opportunity. Obviously you may have to wait for any |
| another, but, all the same, check on who the | | | | existing trades to finish, but find an alternative broker |
| regulating authority is. Check on the profile and see if | | | | quickly so that you don't lose any trading |
| you can find out anything about the board of | | | | opportunities. |
| directors or the chief executive, as the case may be | | | | |