1. Learn the Basics
The first step in teaching yourself how to trade stocks is to master it through reading books on stock trading – books like the Intelligent Investor, Market Wizards are helpful in giving you the crucial grip on core stock trading concepts.
In line with this, consider taking free courses and reading up on stock trading knowledge platforms such as Investopedia and Babypips, etc. Also follow market news on platforms like TradingView which is great for trading charts and has a community of traders who share trading insights on the platform’s blog.
2. Choose a Reliable Broker
When you have mastered the critical concepts you then need to open a demo account with trusted brokers like Pepperstone (low spreads), IC Markets (raw pricing), or XM Group, AvaTrade, and Admiral Markets (user-friendly).
Also do your due diligence and compare these with other solid platforms like eToro (which is big on social trading) or Exness, OctaFX (great for fast trade execution).
3. Practice with a Demo Account
Now this is critical – do not trade with real money yet. Practice with a demo account (paper money) to test your strategies risk-free on FP Markets, RoboForex, or BlackBull Markets.
Platforms like Pepperstone and TradingView offer demo accounts for practising. Make use of TradingView for advanced charting and back testing.
Pro Tip: Keep your demo trading balance and settings close to how your live trading account will look like in terms of equity (balance), leverage, etc. This helps you internalise your trading strategy and treat your demo account as if it were a real money account.
4. Develop a Trading Plan
Key to teaching yourself how to trade stocks is to develop a trading plan. This involves defining your trading strategy – will you be a swing trader, day trader or a scalper.
Define your risk management plan for example you can settle for 1-3% risk per trade. With this in place you can rack performance with TradingView’s analytics or Vantage’s tools.
5. Start Small with Real Funds
Now that you have mastered the craft and have taught yourself how to trade stocks – you can now fund your live account with Pepperstone or IC Markets (great for beginners and pros). Also consider these platforms: Axi, Eightcap, or FxPro for tight spreads.
I personally use the Pepperstone and TradingView integration – Pepperstone being a broker and TradingView being an excellent charting platform. On TradingView, I can easily switch my Pepperstone accounts and trade with my Pepperstone demo or live accounts.
6. Use the Right Tools
Analyze trends and price action with TradingView’s indicators. You can also consider automating your trades using TradingView, XTB, easyMarkets, or OctaFX (copy trading features).
Remember that mastering stock trading is not an overnight feat – you need to keep improving and critical to this keep a journal of all trades – where you record your wins and losses (yes experienced traders still lose trades). Give yourself quality time to analyse markets and do your due diligence.
As you continue to grow and trade stock profitably – scale responsibly – you can start increasing your equity and start exploring advanced stock trading features on Pepperstone, FP Markets, Exness, or BlackBull Markets.
Why Do We Prefer Pepperstone, IC Markets & TradingView?
Unlike in the past when stock trading was a preserve of the rich individuals, financial firms and banks, nowadays the stock market has been opened up to just anyone and everyone who can afford to trade and has what it takes to open an online stock market trading account.
With the rapid developments in technology, the stock market has become more accessible. Those who have attempted online stock market trading understand that this business cannot be taken lightly.
With great prospects comes great risks. Huge losses can be incurred, especially if the trader approaches the stock market as a guaranteed way of raking in easy profits.
Demystifying the Online Stock Exchange
In this post, we aim to demystify online stock exchange. Many traders do not know exactly what happens after clicking the submit button either to buy or sell stock online.
Before we delve into what stock exchange really is, we need to look at the players that comprise the stock market industry. The stock market is made up of companies (entities who own stocks that are being sold or bought), as well as other traders and investors like you.
The stock market will not be complete without brokers. Brokers are stock experts and professionals who give stock trade advice as well as execute trading orders on behalf of clients (traders).
In stock trade, there are professional institutional traders who buy and sell stocks on behalf of the firms and companies they are trading for. These usually handle large capital investments in comparison to individual traders.
Defining Online Stock Market Trading
In the traditional and conventional realms, stock exchanges, also known as bourses, are places designated for the buying and selling of stocks.
These are places where stock order processing also takes place. Some of the conventional stock exchanges include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The rapid strides in innovation have opened up access to the stock market such that through what is known as online stock market trading, individuals and companies have access to virtual stock exchanges (bourses).
Online stock market trading is conducted over platforms provided by different brokers. In online stock trade, the online broker takes the place of a human broker. Even if everything is virtual here, as a trader you still use real money to buy and sell stocks.
While trading the stock exchange will involve the trader interacting with a broker on trade decisions and activity, in online stock market trading the trader decides on his/her own about which stocks to buy and sell. As an online stock trader, you will request trades on your own.
There are, however, some broker-assisted forms of trading. In these forms of trade, the trader gets assistance from live brokers who offer broker-assisted trades at a cost.
Today’s top online brokers like Pepperstone, IC Markets, and XM Group offer powerful trading platforms with access to global stocks, user-friendly tools, and fast order execution — essentials for self-taught traders stepping into the markets.
What to Consider Before You Start Trading
Now that you have run through the basic insights on online stock market trading, there are some important things to consider before you go into it. One of the important areas to pay good attention to is the aspect of choosing a broker.
As a beginner, you need good guidance and help as you learn the ropes of online stock market trade. Different brokers offer different forms and levels of help. Some of the critical aspects to consider when choosing an online stock market broker include but are not limited to:
- How much risk capital (money you can afford to lose) you have. Each broker has a minimum deposit requirement. It is wise to start off with brokers that require low minimum deposits.
- How frequently you want to trade. There are costs associated with holding stocks and positions. As a trader, you need to be aware of all this so as to make well-informed decisions. If you plan to trade frequently, then a low trade fee broker will enable you to conduct trade cost-effectively.
- The quality of customer service. As a beginner trader, you want the helping hand of a patient and competent broker who will offer you everything you need in order to achieve your set goals.
Some modern brokers also integrate popular charting and analysis tools like TradingView directly into their platforms — an invaluable resource for self-taught traders looking to make data-backed decisions.
The next post focuses on how and where to get started in online stock market trading. Take note that almost every online stock market broker provides a demo account where, as a beginner, you can practice trading with demo money until you are ready to trade with real money in a live trading account.
Trusted brokers such as Pepperstone and IC Markets offer excellent demo account options to help new traders build experience in a risk-free environment.
Online Stock Trading Site: Which one is the best?
The incredible progressions in technology have opened up a lot of opportunities in the online stock and forex markets.
Cutting-edge innovation has enabled the widening of access to financial markets for a broader spectrum of players. Almost every eligible person with good internet access can open an online stock trading account and get onto stock trading right away.
Getting Started with Stock Trading Sites
As a newbie, it is not easy identifying the best sites to start your stock trading journey. Before you can even get to this post where we are exploring the best online stock trading sites, you need to be equipped with adequate knowledge and expertise on how to trade stocks successfully.
If you haven’t done so already, it’s worth exploring a stock trading course or guide to understand market basics, trading strategies, and risk management.
Once you’ve got a grip on how stock trading works, you’ll need to decide whether you will go the offline or online stock trading route.
This article is for those looking for the best places to buy stocks online. Take note that the “best” online stock trading site can ultimately be decided by you, based on your needs, skills, and risk capital, among other factors.
Many beginners struggle with identifying the best online stock trading platforms, so we’ve highlighted some of the most reputable options available in 2024.
1. Pepperstone
Well known for its superior forex and CFD offering, Pepperstone has increasingly become a preferred platform for those looking to trade stocks and indices via CFDs. Their lightning-fast execution and ultra-low spreads make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned traders.
Pepperstone’s integration with TradingView for charting and order execution also provides traders with some of the best technical analysis tools on the market.
2. IC Markets
IC Markets is another broker making waves globally for its impressive range of stock CFDs, low trading fees, and reliable order execution.
It stands out for offering traders access to both MetaTrader and cTrader platforms, as well as TradingView integration, making it a great choice for those who prioritise advanced charting, precision, and automation capabilities.
3. eToro
A globally popular platform, eToro offers commission-free stock investing and is widely known for its social trading features, allowing users to follow and copy the portfolios of successful traders. It’s beginner-friendly, offers fractional stock investing, and access to US and international stock markets.
4. AvaTrade
AvaTrade provides a secure and well-regulated environment for stock CFD trading. Known for its strong customer support and comprehensive educational resources, AvaTrade is a solid option for beginner and intermediate traders alike.
5. FP Markets
A trusted name in multi-asset trading, FP Markets offers a broad range of stocks, forex, and indices. It’s particularly valued for its fast trade execution, transparent pricing, and excellent customer service, making it a preferred choice for traders looking for a comprehensive trading environment.
Why Modern Platforms Matter
Today’s platforms do more than just allow you to place trades — they offer advanced charting tools, market research, risk management features, and mobile trading capabilities.
Platforms like TradingView have become indispensable to many traders for their powerful analysis tools, seamless integrations with top brokers, and active trading community.
Stock Investing for Beginners Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best app for buying stocks?
Pepperstone – This platform is the great for low-cost trading (tight spreads, fast execution)
eToro – eToro is great for beginners (copy trading, user-friendly interface)
TradingView – Best for price action analysis (charts, indicators, and ideas)
- What is the best app to start investing in stocks?
IC Markets – Low fees, great for beginners & pros
eToro – Social investing (copy top traders)
TradingView + Broker Combo – Research first, then trade smart
- What kind of stock should a beginner buy?
ETFs (S&P 500, VOO, QQQ) – Safe, diversified, low-cost
Blue-Chip Stocks (Apple, Amazon, Microsoft) – Stable long-term growth
Dividend Stocks (Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson) – Passive income
- Where should I invest as a beginner?
Index Funds (VTI, SPY) – Set & forget strategy
Fractional Shares (eToro, Pepperstone) – Start small ($10+)
Robo-Advisors (Wealthfront, Betterment) – Automated investing
Final Thoughts
There you are. We hope you’ve found this updated list useful. The online trading landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years, with platforms like Pepperstone, IC Markets, and eToro becoming go-to options for modern stock and CFD traders.
As always, the best trading site for you will depend on your goals, experience level, and the markets you wish to trade. If you have a platform you think deserves a mention, feel free to share your thoughts — we’d love to hear from you!