Depending on what type of trader you are, there is trading software and execution systems that can shoot your orders to "the floor" in seconds. We can log on to the internet, read the news of a stock we are interested in, look at it's chart, go back to our online trading platform, click a button, and buy a stock.
Here is a small sample of online brokers.
- Scottrade
- Ameritrade
- E Trade
- Schwab
Which one is the best to use? That all depends on what type of trader you are. If you are a swing trader or someone who buys and holds a stock for some time, a company like Scottrade would be good for you. If you are day trading stocks online, then you are going to want someone who offers direct access in order to get the best price possible.
With buying and selling stocks being so easy comes the allure of getting rich quick. Many people get into this mindset. They open an account with an online broker and end up losing their hard earned money. Stock Trading is a get rich slow process. Money can be made, but it takes time. Most important, and I can not stress this enough, it takes education.
Before you even consider opening an account educate yourself by reading books, and developing a trading strategy. Do not get involved with the stock market without doing this first. The market is filled with hungry sharks looking to take your money from you. And take your money they will if you go into this blindly.
This website will help you get the education you need. Have a look around, there are many resources here to help you get started, and to help you succeed with your online stock trading.