| Online brokers have an important role to play | | | | during hours of service. Interruptions to broadband |
| when you open an online trading account. Each | | | | services, power outages and computer problems |
| broker can offer different services and features. | | | | can stop you from accessing information you |
| You must research all the online brokers to find | | | | need at critical points. This is why you must have |
| the best broker to meet your needs. I have listed | | | | phone access to your online broker. Do not even |
| a large number of online brokers and placed their | | | | consider using an online broker if they do not |
| information for you to read in one easy-to-read | | | | provide phone access. |
| webpage. This is a free, "no-cost to you" service | | | | Access to your money - I prefer having instant |
| for our valued readers and can be found on this | | | | access to my money even though it is held in a |
| link: Best Online Stock Brokers | | | | cash account by the broker. Most brokers will |
| What to look for in an online broker. | | | | have a cash account facility that is linked to your |
| Brokerage rates - this is the rate at which you | | | | trading account. My account is linked to a |
| are charged for buying or selling through your | | | | MasterCard account, which means I can access |
| online account. These rates are usually charged | | | | that money anytime through any ATM or make |
| based on a sliding scale. The more units you | | | | purchases as I would normally using a MasterCard. |
| purchase in a single transaction, the less the "cost | | | | Don't be misled into thinking you must only have a |
| per unit" you will pay. The exact sliding scale can | | | | separate cash holding account with the online |
| vary and may sometimes be negotiable for larger | | | | broker. There are lots of options open to you as |
| purchases. Compare each broker and read the | | | | a client and good online brokers will provide |
| fine print within contracts. Pick the one that best | | | | several options for your cash holding account. |
| meets your buying and selling style. | | | | Extra benefits - seek out those brokers that give |
| | | | you extra incentives to open an account with |
| Account fees - Look for hidden fees in account | | | | them. Some offer a limited free brokerage period. |
| contracts within the terms and conditions. I know | | | | Others will offer free reports on the markets you |
| of one broker who requires an extra $10 to | | | | are interested in. These bonus offers can help |
| transfer money out of an account "quickly" as | | | | you getting you account established and setup a |
| against withdrawing money normally. Hardly a fair | | | | profitable trading account. For more information |
| fee, I'd say. All fees should be listed in the terms | | | | on finding the best online stock broker feel free |
| and conditions listed in opening an account. | | | | to visit our website. |
| Phone access - Online services can go down | | | | |