Online trading brokers get by in the world by knowing information that other people don't. When you are with a broker, you are getting some valuable advice, which is something that you can't put a price on. If you are looking for a broker, then you know that your interests will be well guarded selecting the right person. There are also discount brokers who will offer valuable advice for a very reasonable price. Of course, we could always use the Internet to trade, which in recent years has provided an enormous amount of help for individual investors, who want to keep track of a portfolio. But the basic rule will still apply: You need some kind of online trading broker so that you can trade stocks. You know a stockbroker is informed in their job because they have to pass two licensing exams. These exams will prove that this broker is highly informed in their job and that they know all