How to Trade Stock: Steps to Get Started for Beginners

Trading stocks might seem exciting, but in reality, it takes a lot of hard work and research. It’s not always a walk in the park, but new investors can start investing successfully by finding a style that helps them grow their portfolio over time. If you’re thinking about trading stocks, one of the first things to figure out is what kind of trader you want to be: •    Are you looking to buy and hold onto stocks for a long time, maybe even years? •    Or are you thinking about trading shares more often, maybe over a few weeks or even just a day (which would make you a day trader)?

Traders are folks who jump into the market to take advantage of quick price changes for fast profits, while investors are in it for the long game, hoping to profit from the company's success over time.

What’s Stock Trading all About?

Stock traders keep a close eye on short-term price changes of stocks, aiming to buy low and sell high. This quick-turnaround approach sets them apart from traditional investors who are in it for the long haul. Trading can lead to quick gains if you time the market right, but it also comes with the risk of significant losses. A single company's success can shoot up faster than the market, but it can also plunge just as quickly. Trading isn’t for the timid, so it’s best not to risk money you can’t afford to lose. Most investors do better with long-term investments like index, mutual funds, or government bonds. But if you’ve got some extra cash and want to learn how to trade, online brokerages make it easy to trade stocks from your computer or mobile device. Just make sure you understand how the stock market works before jumping in.

People trade stocks mainly to make money. They need stock prices to change — the more they fluctuate, the better. Stocks are pretty volatile compared to other investments like bonds, which gives them a lot of potential for movement. Smart traders can profit whether a stock goes up or down. While stocks aren’t as wild as options, they’re still a good choice because they tend to hold their value better than options, which can lose everything quickly. So, stocks hit a nice balance — enough movement to trade profitably, but not so much that it leads to total disaster.

Places to Trade Stocks

To trade stocks, you’ll need a broker. But don’t just pick any broker; choose one that fits your investing style and experience. If you’re an active trader, you’ll want low fees and quick order execution. Check out our recommendations for the best day trading platforms for more info. New traders should seek out brokers that can help them learn the ropes. Some offer educational articles, tutorials, and seminars. (See NerdWallet's lists for beginner-friendly brokers) When looking at stock trading apps, consider features like screening tools, alerts, easy order entry, and customer support. 

Regardless of your approach, spending time learning the basics of researching stocks and going through the ups and downs of trading — even if there are more downs — is totally worth it, as long as you’re enjoying the process and not risking money you can’t afford to lose.

Protecting your portfolio

Trading can be tricky, and there are plenty of ways to mess it up. Whether you’re trading or investing, here are some tips to help keep your portfolio safe.

Try virtual trading

Many brokers let you practice trading with “paper money,” so you can hone your skills before using real cash. You can log in and trade just like you normally would without any penalties for mistakes. Then, when you feel ready, you can switch back to real trading. As you practice, keep track of your performance to get a clear picture of how you’d actually do, instead of just going by gut feelings. Did you make or lose money? How did you handle it? And remember, you’ll probably trade differently when real money and emotions are involved.

Avoid pump-and-dump schemes

As you start trading or investing, watch out for scammers promising quick returns. They often hype up obscure penny stocks online to lure in inexperienced traders. The goal is to inflate the stock price quickly, then insiders sell off to cash in on the hype. That’s why they’re called “pump-and-dump” schemes.

Trading is hard work, and no one can predict how a stock will perform. But traders can make things easier by sticking to legitimate companies.

Diversify most of your investments

Diversification is a key part of managing risk and can also boost your overall returns. Whether you’re trading or investing, it’s crucial not to put all your money into just one or a few investments. By spreading your money across multiple investments — think 10, 20, or more — you significantly lower the chance that one bad position will hurt your portfolio. Plus, diversification helps smooth out your returns over time instead of letting a few volatile stocks dictate everything.

Manage your risk

Every time you lose money, it’s like losing future earnings potential, so it’s super important to avoid losing money. Of course, you’ll have some trades that don’t work out. Traders who want to keep going should know how to manage risk to avoid racking up losses. That’s why one of the first rules of trading is to cut losses before they get too big. For instance, selling when you’re down 3 percent can help you avoid a catastrophic loss.

By taking small losses early, you can stop them from becoming crippling. In the end, that might mean accepting several small losses to prevent a huge one. It’s tough to accept a loss — even a small one — but managing risk is the most critical skill for a trader.

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Steps to Trade Stocks

So, you're thinking about trading stocks? Before jumping in, it's good to think about your reasons for trading and what strategy you want to go with. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Figure out what kind of trader you want to be

Are you looking to actively grow your wealth, or are you more of a long-term investor who wants to benefit from stock appreciation? You can do a mix of both, keeping most of your investments in stocks while trading a little on the side. Your choice will affect your stock ideas, how long you hold onto them, what features you need from a broker, and even your taxes. Just a heads up, most traders end up losing money, so it's crucial to understand your goals and approach before starting. On the flip side, long-term investors who stick to a diversified portfolio, like the S&P 500, can enjoy market gains with minimal effort.

2. Nail down your trading process

Now that you want to trade stocks, what strategies will you use? Are you looking to make quick trades for small profits, or will you be short-selling? When will you cut your losses or lock in gains? Will you do swing trading or day trading? These are just a few questions to think about as you start. If you're investing, your questions will be a bit simpler: How long are you planning to invest? What level of risk are you okay with? Do you want to buy individual stocks or go for funds? How much do you want to invest, and can you add more over time?

3. Set up your own brokerage account

Choosing a broker depends on how you plan to trade. Traders might want brokers with good charting tools and low costs since they'll be making a lot of trades. Investors might prefer a broker that’s a bit pricier but offers more research for picking long-term stocks. If you’re going for funds, look for brokers with a good selection of commission-free ETFs or no-transaction fee mutual funds. If you’re new to this, it’s smart to pick a broker known for great customer support, which can help with questions and issues. When opening an account, have your financial info handy, including bank details and income range. Most accounts can be set up in about 15 minutes, and while you don’t have to fund it right away, it’s usually a good idea.

4. Search for Good Trade Ideas

Before making a trade, you need to know what you’re trading. A good brokerage can help, along with stock newsletters or free websites. If you're trading, your broker might give you ideas, or you may need to do your own research. This could involve looking at stocks at their 52-week highs or lows to see if they’re likely to keep trending. For investors, brokers might provide research reports on companies, but you can also check out third-party research. No matter what, you'll want to think about when to sell your position. Traders often sell at a certain price, while investors might hold onto stocks for the long haul.

5. Go for Trade Execution

Once you know what you’re trading, it’s time to make the trade. Be familiar with basic order types, though most brokers have more options than just these two: 

• Market order: This executes at the best available price at the moment you place the order. If you buy, you get the lowest asking price; if you sell, you get the highest bid.
• Limit order: Here, you tell the broker what price you want to hit. If they can get that price or better, the trade goes through.

Just remember, with market orders, you’re subject to the current market price, which can be fine for big stocks but might cost you more with smaller ones. Once you own the stock, you can keep a close eye on it or relax if you plan to hold it for years. Some investors even find joy in price drops, seeing them as good buying opportunities.

6. Have Patience

Do not panic if things are not going in your favor initially. The market may behave unpredictably, even at the best of times, so you may have to wait for some time for your plans to execute successfully. Till then, it is best to go with a wait-and-watch policy. This is a major difference between investors who stay in the game for a long time versus those who quit in a few months.

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Conclusion

Starting out in trading or investing can feel a bit much, but the key is just to get going. You’ll find a style that fits you best. Those who prefer a hands-off, long-term approach can stick to buy-and-hold investing, while those who enjoy the thrill of trading can dive into that. The cool thing about the market is you get to pick the style that suits you, and plenty of styles can work out well.