An investment broker is expected to be a significant asset for your market connections. This is because they link the investors to the markets, and allow them to purchase bonds, stocks, and other securities effectively. Unfortunately, the brokers we have in the field today are not the same. Some are experienced and professional while others are not. For this reason, an investor must carry out adequate research on the same since the broker you decide to work with can either build or break your investment decision. The best broker is a key value addition to your investment, but the wrong broker can dump your investments into a mess.

You might incur the following disappointments if you work with the wrong broker:

• Maybe too expensive and drown you financially– Like any other business, brokers need to make money from the business. Brokers receive their compensation in the form of spreads or commissions. The wrong broker might charge you too much commissions such that you end up operating at a loss in the long run.
• They might provide misleading information-most brokers are very positive, and they might give misleading information to the newbie investors, or those who have no idea of what happens in the market. Be sure always to demand an explanation for every step or suggestion made. Check out our Best Brokers for beginners post
• May not always be available as expected– unless you decide to work with a reputable broker (who are mostly available on a 24/5 basis), some shady brokers will not be always available to help you out.
• May not be knowledgeable in your investment niche– it’s risky to trust anyone with an investment where a significant amount of your hard earned cash is involved. Some of them are not familiar with the different niches, and they can lie to you. Before you work with them, be sure that they are licensed and they have proven experience of having worked in the industry for a longer time.

How to find the right investment broker

You must work with the right individual broker or brokerage firm if you don’t want to get hurt in the process. Finding the right one however is not easy, considering that there are many brokerage firms out there. Ask yourself the following questions while hunting for a broker, and you will inevitably settle on the best if you get the right answers:

• What kind of investment do I intend to do? Is it stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs or a mix? The right broker should be experienced in your niche.
• How much can you afford to pay your broker? Create budgets for the same and have a limit so that you don’t incur losses.
• Should you get a full-service broker or a discount broker? Consider the advice and help you will need in making this decision.
• How many trades will you be making per day? The ideal broker should be available to both online and over the phone to help you in your trades. Have a look at our best trading platform article for further supporting information.

Don’t risk your investments. Take your time when looking for a broker, research and make a comparison based on fees and other factors. In this way, you will avoid the pain of working with the wrong representative. To find out more, have a look at the sections on: the best forex broker and best CFD broker.