This walks through the mechanics only: how an account gets set up and how an order works. It does not tell you what to buy.
1. Open a brokerage account
Pick a broker, then provide your identity details, employment info and a funding source. Approval can take minutes to a few days. Brokers differ on fees, tools and extended-hours access, so compare a couple.
If you want somewhere to start, Robinhood, Webull, Public and Schwab all let you open an account online. Each runs its own sign-up offer, so check the current one before you apply, and read how they differ.
2. Fund the account
Link a bank account and transfer money. Transfers can take a few business days to be fully available. Only fund an account with money you can afford to lose.
3. Pick what you want to research
Decide for yourself, using your own research. Know what the company does, how it makes money and what could go wrong.
4. Choose a quantity and an order type
Enter the ticker, then buy or sell, quantity and order type. For a first trade many people use a limit order so they control the price. See the order types article.
5. Review and submit
Check the ticker, share count, order type and estimated cost on the review screen. Then submit. A filled order shows up in your positions.
6. Afterward
Note why you bought and what would make you sell. Decide your exit before you enter, so that emotions do not make the decision later.
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Education only, not investment advice. Trading involves real risk of loss, including loss of everything you put in. See the full disclaimer.