Start Trading Stocks Online

Knowing how to start trading stocks online is easier than you think. You can open up a stock trading account online, fund your account, learn to trade free and start trading in just a few days. Stock trading is not as mysterious as you may think, get started today and have fun making money.

Instructions

1. Step1

   Open a Stock Trading Account
   
   Start investing in the stock market by opening a stock trading account. You can open up an account with online brokers such as Scottrade, Trade King, Ameritrade, Etrade, Zecco or others.
   
   Decide whether or not you want to open a margin account or a cash account. If you open a cash account, you can start funding with a smaller amount, usually $500 but you will have to wait three days to settle trades which can become cumbersome to your trading abilities.
   
   A margin account will allow you to settle trades instantly but it will cost more to get started. The minimum funding for a margin account is usually about $2,000.
   
   To make money trading stocks start educating yourself today.

2. Step2

   Fund Your Account
   
   Fund your account by sending in a check. The requirements for the check will be listed on the website. Normally you must be the owner of the funds that you deposit into your stock trading account, so you cannot use a check with someone else's name on it.

3. Step3

   Learn to Trade
   
   Learn stock trading basics on the brokerage account that you open online. You can learn more indepth stock trading on free training websites across the web such as We Seed, Investopedia, Trading Smarts and WizeTrade.
   
   You can also use the practice account associated with your online brokerage account to practice trading stocks, bonds and options without risking any money.
   
   You will learn how to buy, sell, sell short, buy to cover, use stop orders, limit orders, market orders and other daily stock trading tips.
   
   You will also learn how to read charts to analyze the fundamentals.

4. Step4

   Find a Mentor
   
   Find an online mentor or website that you can check with everyday for stock trading tips. Websites such as MrSwing, Stocktiger and Stockpickr will help you choose your trades on a daily basis.
   
   Knowing how to start trading stocks online will help you make some extra cash for your family.

5. Step5

   Start Trading
   
   Research every stock before you buy or sell it. Even if you were given a hot stock tip by a reliable source, you still need to look at the charts and history of the stock. Analyze the oscillators, fast and slow stochastics and the MACD before making a decision.
   
   Trading penny stocks is a low cost way to get started trading stocks