Brokers are needed because stock exchanges will only accept orders from members of the stock exchange – brokers arrange transactions between a buyer and a seller. They receive a commission after the deal is executed (although sometimes they choose to reduce or even eliminate fees for certain trading products).

When looking for a broker, you should consider:

• Commission
• Experience
• Customer Support
• Variety of products

These are not the only things to take into account, but certainly the elements from which to start in your research.

Surely the best way to look for a broker is to start with precise research. Look for the best reviews, see if there are any customer complaints and details of each broker. Don’t be afraid to try broker demos, most of them are free so you don’t have to commit to a single platform right away.

But surely the things you should pay more attention to are:

Transparency
A broker should simply and clearly communicate commissions and anything else he may charge you. A broker who tries to hide this information should be avoided.

Regulation
There are several major regulatory bodies in charge of supervising brokers, with CySEC and FCA among the most well-known. At the bottom of each broker’s page, you should find the regulation numbers.

Transparency and regulatory oversight are just two of the many factors to consider when selecting a broker.