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The Pros and Cons of Online Trading

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As online trading becomes increasingly popular, more and more traders are turning to Interactive Brokers. These are brokers who provide a personalized approach for their clients.

Most brokers offer input and advice for online trading, then the traders themselves make their own trading decisions. The same is also true for traders who use Interactive Brokers.

The difference is that the advisers at Interactive Brokers are experienced day traders themselves. Therefore, as a trader, you can take advantage of listening to their expertise. Then you simply place your trades yourself.

Either way, you should remember that there is always risk associated with trading. Below are some benefits and drawbacks of online trading.

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Here Are Five Reasons for Trading Online

Trading online or offline is always risky, no matter how you do it. This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of online trading. Here are some of the advantages:

1. Trading Online Will Save You Money on Transaction Costs

In comparison with traditional brokerage firms, online trading offers the advantage of reduced transaction fees and lower transaction costs. According to a Bloomberg report, the cost to buy and sell stocks and ETFs at online discount brokerages typically ranges between $5 and $10. On TradingGuide you can compare different rates and transnational fees.

2. You Can Have More Flexibility with Your Trades

For many investors, online trading portals provide the benefit of speed when it comes to trading stocks. For example, you can make a trade almost instantaneously via online trading. However, to initiate a trade with a brick-and-mortar broker, you might need to schedule an online, telephone, or in-person appointment.

3. You Will Avoid Bias in a Brokerage by Trading Online

The best way to eliminate brokerage bias is to take your trading into your own hands. Brokerage bias can occur when a broker gives advice that mainly benefits them. For example, they might make a commission on the sale of certain mutual funds.

4. You Can Take Advantage of Online Tools

Low prices do not always imply inferior products in the world of trading. For instance, a number of online trading companies today offer customers a wide choice of tools to aid in optimizing trades. They also provide valuable information.

5. You’ll Be Able to Take Advantage of Real-Time Investment Tracking

People can track how their investments are doing in real time by using online trading sites that offer stock quotes and trade information.

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Here’s a Five-Point List of Online Trading Disadvantages

1. Too Much Investment Too Fast Is Too Easy

Online trading is easy to do. Literally, all you have to do is push a button. For this reason, there exists the possibility of making fast but poor investment decisions such as over-investing. The best way to protect yourself in fast-paced markets is to understand the stocks you are buying and create safeguards. One way to control what and how much you buy on your account is to place a limit order.

2. The Broker Does Not Know You Personally

When your broker doesn’t know you personally, it is up to you to understand how feedback mechanisms affect the market and create an investment strategy. Such autonomy can feel overwhelming. Therefore, new traders especially should pay close attention to research from experts they respect. Basically, it’s important to understand that investing in a company requires extensive research.

3. You Could Fall into Addictive Behaviors

A study on excessive trading published in the journal Addictive Behaviors found that online traders experience highs similar to the ones people experience when gambling. According to the study, “The two activities [gambling and trading] have the same basic structure.”

Basically, investing in risky stocks can offer large gains but may also result in substantial losses. Both gains and losses trigger the release of various hormones that affect a person’s mood.

4. Your Internet Connection Could Be Unpredictable

Online trading depends on your internet connection. This is just the nature of the business. A slow or interrupted internet connection can cause you to miss out on a significant trading opportunity, even a very profitable one.

5. Computer Errors Can Lead to Purchase Errors

A simple assumption that an online trade wasn’t completed when it actually was can cost you money. For example, an investor might end up investing twice as much as they anticipated if they believe their trade did not complete.

It is also not a good idea to assume a trade has been completed without seeing confirmation. So ensure that you know how to verify trades and review statements before starting to use an online investing system.

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Conclusion

If you’re thinking about jumping into trading, research it well and give it some serious thought ahead of time. Then, if you decide to go ahead, find yourself a good broker. Finally, if you do decide to go ahead with trading, be sure to keep these advantages and disadvantages in mind.