Buying stock shares means you are purchasing a small slice of ownership in a company. As an owner, you can profit if the company succeeds, either through the share price going up or by receiving a portion of profits called dividends. 1. Choose an Online Broker

To buy stocks, you must open an account with a brokerage firm that acts as your link to the stock market.

Fidelity and Charles Schwab are often top-rated for their 24/7 support and educational tools.

Most major brokers now offer $0 commission on stock trades and fractional shares , which let you buy $5 or $10 worth of a stock even if the full share costs $500. 2. Decide on Your Strategy

Robinhood and Webull offer streamlined apps for easy trading.