Ketan Trivedi

With the pressures of time and sheer choice of options, the entire process of investing has become a very daunting experience. One faces several issues while investing offline like maintaining of bank and de-mat accounts separately and manually, lack of proper information, tools and advice, constant struggle with the paperwork, pressures of time to plan for investments, and finally keeping track of your investment portfolio and net-worth.

This either leads to a situation of too much dependency on someone and total inactivity or sometimes even taking wrong decisions while planning your investments. Fortunately, help is now at your fingertip, through the online investing platforms that are available to investors.

Today, technology enables you to plan your investing needs at your convenience. All you need is, a computer, net connection and a subscription to a 3-in-1 online investing account with any of such service providers.

Online mode of investing largely eliminates all the major hassles of investing. Moreover, it provides a wealth of information, analysis and tools that help you take more informed decisions on your investment. Virtually, no paperwork involved in online investing as all transaction records are online and statements are available in digital form. One can invest at anytime and from anywhere.  Today, the online mode allows you to invest across different asset classes such as equity shares, mutual funds (MFs) and IPOs. The online mode provides you the benefit of getting up-to-date information, which is often sourced and compiled in an investor-friendly format.

Advantages

Through online investing you can easily take decisions for your investing needs that also reduces the probability of risk.  Moreover, it improves probabi lity of earning better returns from your investments. 

Getting started

To start investing online, you need to register as a member for an integrated 3-in-1 online trading account with any of the service providers like www.idbipaisabuilder.in. The three accounts are: (1) Trading account, which enables you to transact online, (2) an internet enabled bank account for online money transfers, with any of the banks, which have a tie-up with online service provider, and (3) your de-mat account, where your shares will be deposited. 

Issues you can consider while choosing your online investing account

Credibility and credentials

While there are several service providers, for any retail investors, the backing of a reputed bank or financial institution can always provide that additional safety and surety that you seek.

Online investments

Are you allowed to invest in equity shares, MFs and IPOs fully through the online or in only one of them? To derive the full power of online investing, you need to get the facility to invest in all of them.

Quality of information

Ensure that you are getting the best of information, research support and tools, which is provided to you in an easy and reader friendly manner.

Speed of order execution

Are you able to place your equity orders and receive quick order confirmations during the peak hours? Or are you going to struggle with getting access just when you need it most.

Choice of products

A few service providers give a choice of products, starting from the basic  account to more advanced trading platforms with live and streaming market information on equity markets.

Customer care

Does the service provider have a dedicated customer care cell to take care of your queries and problems? Besides, there are a combination of several additional features will be provided in online investing, such as ability to sell shares before receiving delivery, SMS alerts, intra day trading in equities, etc.

The writer is head, marketing IDBI Capital Market Services