If you are looking to have a good experience as a Forex trader, it is vital that you are using trading platforms that will give you all of the tools you need to succeed. This means that you’ll have access to all of the most popular markets, a variety of trading tools, research capabilities, and a very easy-to-use platform.
You also want to be sure that a given trading platform is highly reliable, so you’ll have zero issues when you want to place trades. Here are some of the main things to look out for when selecting a forex broker:
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Hidden Charges and Fees
No matter what type of trading platform you decide to use, there’s always going to be some sort of fees or charges in place. It is important to consider these expenses before you create an account, as steep fees can really cut into your bottom line.
Every broker will take its own approach when it comes to its cost structure. Some brokers will charge you for everything under the sun, such as a transaction fee, currency conversion charges, inactivity fees, and overnight funding fees. There are also the trading fees themselves that you need to consider. You need to be fully aware of what sorts of charges you will be facing. Other brokers just charge the “spread”, the difference between the buy and sell price. This makes trading transparent and easier for you to understand how much you need to bring per trade to cover the trading fee.
- A Trustworthy Offering
These days, you’ll have an endless number of brokers to choose between. You won’t be short of options, but not all of them are going to be worthwhile checking out. Not every single platform you come across is going to be a secure or trustworthy option. That’s why you need to do some due diligence to make sure that you can trust a given broker.
A good starting point is checking to see in which regulatory environment the broker operates. If there is a trusted body in charge of oversight, then this can give you good peace of mind. It is also a good idea to check to see exactly how the broker holds trader funds.
You want them to be segregated from the broker’s operational funds, so you know that your money won’t be put at risk if anything happens to the broker. This is something that Forex4you, a leading global broker, has in place, allowing you to focus on what matters the most – your trades.
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Treatment of Traders
As there is trading taking place at all hours during the week, it is important that users of a given platform always have the ability to get a quick resolution to any issue that they run into. The best forex trading brokers will have around-the-clock customer support available, offering numerous contact options for you to use.
Most traders will want to deal with a real person rather than having to rely on a bot or something similar. This usually means being able to use a live chat tool or ring the support personnel by phone.
As well as having good accessibility to the support team, you also want to be sure that they are well-trained and properly equipped to resolve any issues that you may have in a quick and efficient manner. This allows you to get back to trading with minimal delay. The likes of Forex4you make sure to have 24/7 customer support, as well as catering to numerous languages.
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Trading Conditions
It is vital that you are fully aware of the trading conditions that are in place when you are using a certain Forex broker. Some people want to have access to leverage as it can greatly increase your profits when things go well. Different brokers will have varying levels of leverage available to traders.
You also want to be aware of the spreads that are in place. The exact spreads can vary depending on what type of account you have with a given broker or the types of trades that you are making. It is important that you go with a broker that has a competitive spread structure, allowing you to get the best bang for your buck.
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User Experience
There are all sorts of different trading platforms that you will come across when assessing leading forex brokers. Some will stick to the tried and tested MetaTrader offerings, while many will have proprietary platforms in place.
You want to have access to trading platforms that are easy to use, as well as support everything you need. This means that you can quickly place trades, have access to relevant charting tools, and different types of trading options.
Some people may want to have access to copy trading or automatic trading. Whatever the case may be, make sure that the broker you’re considering has suitable trading platforms on offer.
Getting Up and Running
Once you take the time to make sure that you are signing up with a reputable Forex broker that fits all of your trading needs, you will likely never have to look back. You can then put all of your focus into the trading itself, rather than worrying about the secondary aspects of a broker.
One of the best all-rounded brokers that have been around for many years is Forex4you. It has won numerous awards, has dealt with millions of users, and offers all of the trading tools you could ever need. You can get started today in little to no time at all.
Forex Trading involves significant risk to your invested capital. Please read and ensure you fully understand our Risk Disclosure