| Not everyone can afford to pay a stock broker | | | | Most sites are set up so well that the entire process |
| hundreds of dollars per transaction to be able to try | | | | of buying and selling only takes a few short minutes. |
| and make money on stock market investments. | | | | * Freedom is also a perk of going the online route. |
| Fortunately, there are now some great options | | | | Since the buyer is fully in control of what's done, |
| available for those who want to invest, but don't | | | | there generally is no concern about buy or sell orders |
| have a lot of money to play with. One of the best | | | | not getting through to the right person at the right |
| ways for anyone to get into the market is to use | | | | time. |
| online stock brokers. | | | | * The access to multiple markets by going the online |
| Online stock brokers are different than using people | | | | route can be a real perk. It might be the case that |
| in face-to-face situations to invest and manage | | | | several stock sites might have to be used to achieve |
| money. Going this route has its ups and downs, just | | | | this, but the option is available. |
| like the market, but the fact is in many cases an | | | | Cons |
| online stock broker can be a great choice. Let's | | | | * Although online stock brokers can offer some |
| consider some of the pros and cons of going online | | | | great cost savings, the fact is they are not human |
| to buy and sell stocks: | | | | begins. While people might be behind the scenes and |
| Pros | | | | still available to glean advice from, those who buy |
| * The fees involved with using online stock brokers | | | | online won't have the ability to create a one-on-one |
| or online programs to handle buying and selling tend | | | | relationship with their broker. For some investors, this |
| to be a whole lot less than having an assigned human | | | | loss is not worth the price savings in brokerage fees. |
| being to do the work. The cost savings per | | | | * Computer downtime can cause problems for clients |
| transaction can actually open a lot of doors for | | | | who want to buy now or sell now. If an Internet |
| people who might not otherwise be able to invest. | | | | connection isn't available, there might not be |
| * The ease of using online stock sites in the place of | | | | someone to call in the order to. |
| assigned brokers can be incredible. Buyers generally | | | | Although using online stock brokers comes with both |
| only need to have an account and an ability to log | | | | ups and downs, the reality is this is a great way for |
| online to get their business done. | | | | almost anyone to get involved in investing. If sites |
| * The speed associated with using online stock | | | | are chosen carefully, it's possible to overcome and |
| brokers can be incredible. It typically only takes a few | | | | work around the potential pitfalls, making this a solid |
| clicks of a mouse to make a buy or complete a sale. | | | | choice for investing that many pursue. |