Stock Markets Exposed - What is the advantage of online stock trading?

What is the advantage of online stock trading?

Is it true that the broker's fee is much lower than the traditional way. What if it went down (the internet traffic reaches a halt) and you need to buy or sell? What will you do?

Public Comments

Stock trading at Etrade, TD Ameritrade, or other online brokers is much easier than having to call a broker. It's much cheaper also. I have been with Etrade for 12 years... One time about 10 years ago, their site crashed, and I couldn't get in. They have an automated phone system where you can call in and make a trade. It helps if you are on the road traveling and don't have access to the internet.
The advantages of online stock trading are the lower price that you mentioned and convenience. I use Wells Fargo and a broker assisted trade is $50 and an online trade is $0 for the first 100 trades and like $10 after that, but I don't trade that often. The online broker should have a telephone number you could call to place your orders in case the internet was down or you could probably stop by a local office. In all my years of using the internet to trade stocks, I have never had a problem.
1) It's FREE (If you are a Zecco customer) 2) Yes. 3) You make a call with your cell phone.
Note: Zecco wont be free in a few months. Generally speaking the fees to trade will be significantly lower through an online broker than a traditional full service one. I don't think that you would need to worry about internet traffic reaching a halt. What you should do is keep a hold of the trading phone number just in case the internet is down (trading volume has never been an issue for me - except on some illiquid options; and was a known risk going in) you can call in your trade. A downside to online trading is the ease at which you can place your orders... It can lead to too frequent trading, higher tax rates, increased trading costs, etc. I currently use scottrade and tradeking, both have been great at customer service. I'd be happy to refer you to either (you would get money credited to your account. Full disclosure: so would I). I recommend either one, regardless as to whether you use a rec from me or not.
It's cheaper, and easier, and if it goes down phone in your order. Check out Tradeking.com, $4.95 commissions, ranked #1 2006 & 2007 by Smart Money...
Online stock trading is easy and hassle free. Simply click the mouse and invest. As a trader, you can also take financial suggestions from expert brokers. Opening a trading account is a very easy process. Once you open the account, you can see latest updates on stocks online. However, as an investor, you should have a sound knowledge of the stocks, you want to invest in. Online brokers charge a very minimal amount as their commission and take care of all your financial data. these are some of the advantages of online stock trading. read below tutorial for more info: