If you’re looking to buy shares, you’ll need a brokerage account to place orders on stock exchanges. Here are common options and quick steps to get started: What you can use to buy shares
- Online brokers and trading platforms: These give you access to major exchanges (for example, Euronext and US exchanges like NYSE/NASDAQ) and let you place buy/sell orders online or via mobile apps.
- Traditional banks with investment desks: Many banks offer investing services and managed or self-directed options.
- Robo-advisors and commission-free platforms: For straightforward investing, some platforms offer low or no commissions and automatic diversification.
Steps to start
- Choose a platform or broker
- Consider the range of available markets (domestic and international), account types, trading fees, and ease of use.
- If you want access to a broad international selection, look for a broker with global market access.
- Open and fund an account
- Complete the application (identity verification, tax information, etc.).
- Fund the account via bank transfer, wire, or other supported methods.
- Decide what to buy
- For beginners, consider broad-market options like ETFs or diversified index funds to reduce risk.
- If you prefer individual stocks, research companies’ fundamentals, recent earnings, and industry outlook.
- Place an order
- Decide order type (market, limit, stop, etc.) and the quantity.
- Review the estimated costs, including commissions and spreads.
- Submit the order and monitor the trade until it executes.
- Manage your investments
- Set up alerts, periodic reviews, and diversification goals.
- Reinvest dividends if you want compounding growth.
Important considerations
- Fees: Look at trading commissions, spreads, and any account maintenance fees.
- Tax implications: Understand how capital gains, dividends, and any withholding taxes apply in your country.
- Risk management: Only invest money you can afford to lose and consider setting stop-loss levels or diversification strategies.
If you’d like, share your country of residence and whether you want domestic- only access or international markets, and I can tailor a more specific, step- by-step path and suggest a few well-regarded brokers that fit your needs.
