Thinking about buying shares for the first time? This beginner stock trading guide walks you through each step of your stock-buying journey. Let’s get started.
When you buy a stock, it means you’re buying a small piece of ownership in a company, for example, Nvidia or Coca-Cola. These pieces are called ‘shares’ and they represent your stake in that business. You may be entitled to vote on certain issues and receive dividends if the company pays them.
Mainly, buying shares gives you exposure to a company’s financial performance. If it does well, your stock value may go up. If it struggles, the value may drop. When you sell your shares, you can realize a profit if the price is higher than what you paid, or take a loss if it's lower.
To buy a stock, you need to go through a stock broker – usually via an app or online platform. These brokerage platforms act as intermediaries, helping you execute your stock orders.
Buying shares online is straightforward when you break it into clear steps. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking for a more streamlined experience, here’s how to get started – from choosing a platform to placing your first order:
The first step is selecting the right platform to trade stocks. This is where you’ll create an account, fund it and place your buy orders – so it’s important to pick one that fits your needs. An ideal platform should be easy to use, provide educational support and offer features that enhance your trading confidence. Consider these key features:
The Crypto.com App offers commission-free access to more than 10,000 US stocks. It combines a sleek mobile-first design with advanced features like price alerts and watchlists. Its commitment to transparency and user education makes it an excellent option for beginners.
You also benefit from features like:
Once you've selected your platform, you'll need to open a brokerage account. This process is similar to opening a bank account and typically takes just a few minutes.
Here’s how you can set up a Crypto.com account:
Now comes the exciting part – choosing a stock. You can search for stocks by entering the company name or ticker symbol (e.g., Apple or AAPL) into the platform's search bar.
Before buying a stock, it's essential to do some basic research. Here are a few key things to look into:
Our App makes this process simple with clean layouts and easy-to-read charts. You can also explore curated lists and featured baskets that group stocks by theme, sector or trend – great for beginners who want a starting point. Plus, you can explore curated lists and featured baskets to discover trending or diversified stock groups.
Watch this step-by-step video on buying your first Whale Basket in the Crypto.com App
After selecting your stock, you decide how much to buy. The traditional way is by specifying the number of whole shares. But modern platforms like ours also support fractional share trading, so you can buy a portion of a share based on how much you want to spend. This is especially useful for high-priced stocks like Tesla or Amazon.
For example:
This flexibility lowers the barrier to entry and allows new traders to start building portfolios without needing large amounts of capital.
The final step is placing your order. When buying stocks, you typically choose between two order types:
What it means | Best for | |
Market order | Buys at the best available price immediately | Speed and convenience |
Limit order | Buys only if the stock reaches your target price | Price control and patience |
In the Crypto.com App, select your stock, choose the number of shares (or dollar value) and pick your order type. After reviewing your order details, tap Buy to confirm.
Don’t forget to:
Before placing your first order, it’s important to understand the key concepts and risks involved in stock trading. Even if you’re using a beginner-friendly platform, knowing what to expect can make a big difference.
Stock prices are constantly changing due to various factors such as company performance, market sentiment, macroeconomic indicators, geopolitical news and investor demand. This constant fluctuation is known as volatility – a measure of how much a stock's price moves over a given period.
Some stocks exhibit steady, gradual price changes, while others swing sharply up and down, often in response to news or earnings reports. These highly volatile stocks can offer the potential for higher returns, but also come with increased risk, especially for beginners. Before buying, it’s important to assess a stock's historical volatility to understand its risk profile.
Volatility is not inherently bad, but it requires awareness and risk management. Day-to-day price movements can create emotional decision-making. Beginners may be tempted to sell during dips or chase price surges, which could lead to losses.
US markets are generally open 09:30 to 16:00 EST, Monday to Friday. Orders placed outside these hours are queued until markets reopen. Some platforms offer after-hours trading, but these sessions typically come with reduced liquidity and wider bid-ask spreads, making it harder to execute trades at expected prices.
Liquidity refers to how easily you can buy or sell a stock without significantly affecting its price. During regular trading hours, popular stocks tend to have higher liquidity – meaning tighter spreads, quicker order fills and more stable pricing. Outside these hours, lower trading volume can lead to price slippage, delayed execution or the inability to fill orders altogether.
While after-hours trading may sound convenient, beginners are often better off placing trades during standard market hours when price discovery is most accurate and market depth is strongest.
Orders placed outside these hours are queued until markets reopen. Some platforms offer after-hours trading, but with less liquidity and wider spreads. Our hours align with standard market hours to provide smooth execution.
Even if a platform says “zero commission”, it's important to review its overall fee structure. Some platforms make up for zero trading fees by charging elsewhere, so being aware of the fine print helps avoid surprises.
Potential costs to watch for include:
Make sure to read the platform's terms and disclosures carefully. A low-cost experience depends not just on zero commission but also on clarity and consistency across all account-related charges.
We offer transparent terms, no hidden fees and no commission on US stock trades – making our platform beginner-friendly and cost-effective for frequent and occasional traders alike.
There are plenty of platforms to choose from, but we offer benefits that make it a standout option for both beginners and experienced traders. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
New to stock trading? Getting started can feel overwhelming, but with a few smart habits, you can begin your journey on solid ground. Here are some beginner-friendly tips to help you trade with confidence:
Remember: every successful trader started with their first buy. Take your time, stay curious and make decisions that align with your goals.
Foris Capital US LLC (FCUL) is a broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a Member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). For further information about FCUL, please visit FINRA BrokerCheck.
FCUL is a subsidiary of Crypto.com. FCUL is a separate entity from Crypto.com, Foris DAX, Inc., and other affiliated Foris companies. FCUL does not engage in the sale, transfer or custody of crypto currencies or digital assets. Crypto.com is a separate entity from FCUL and does not engage in the securities business. Customer balances and crypto holdings held and transacted at Crypto.com and other entities outside of FCUL are not covered by SIPC insurance and are separate from securities transactions and holdings at FCUL.
All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of securities may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a down market. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.
This is informational content sponsored by Crypto.com and should not be considered as investment advice.
