How to Buy Shares and ETFs on Investfora
A straightforward guide to trading shares and exchange-traded funds through Investfora's platform, from funding your account to placing your first trade.
What are shares and ETFs?
A share is a small piece of ownership in a company. When you buy a share, you own that fraction of the business. If the company does well and its share price rises, your holding becomes worth more. If it falls, it becomes worth less. You can hold shares for years, or sell them in moments.
An ETF is an exchange-traded fund. It is a basket of many shares bundled together and traded as one thing. Instead of picking individual companies, an ETF lets you own a slice of a whole sector, or a whole country's stock market, or a mix of both. ETFs make it easier to spread your money across many businesses at once.
Both shares and ETFs trade on stock exchanges during market hours. The price moves constantly as buyers and sellers agree on what they are worth. You can buy and sell them quickly, or hold them for the long term. The value of your holding can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in.
Getting money into your Investfora account
To start, you transfer euros to Investfora by bank transfer. Your dashboard shows a unique reference number for your transfer. Use that reference when you send the money. The minimum first deposit is EUR 250. After that, you can deposit any amount you choose.
Your bank transfer usually takes one to three working days to arrive and be matched to your account. Once it lands, the euros show up as your Investfora cash balance. At that point, the money is yours to use, but nothing is invested unless you tell it to be. You stay in full control of what happens next.
Think of your Investfora account as a wallet. The cash sits there until you decide to move it into something. You might put some into a fixed-term deposit with a bank, some into business lending, some into crypto, or some into trading shares and ETFs. Each investment sits on its own screen so you can see exactly what you own and what each thing is worth.
How the trading platform works
Once you have cash in your account, you can fund a trading account and begin to buy shares and ETFs. Investfora's trading platform runs on your Windows computer, your Android phone, or as a web trader that opens inside your account. You choose which one suits you. The platform connects you to real stock exchanges where shares and ETFs actually trade.
On the platform, you can search for shares and ETFs by name or ticker symbol. You see the live price and can place an order to buy or sell. The order goes to the exchange and is filled at the best price available at that moment. Once filled, your shares or ETF units appear in your holdings.
The platform shows you everything you need to make a decision. You can see the price history as a chart. You can look at news and data about the company or fund. You can set alerts so you are notified when a price hits a level you care about.
What you can trade
Through Investfora's trading account, you can buy and sell shares in thousands of listed companies. You can trade shares in major indices like the FTSE, the DAX, the CAC, or the S&P 500. You can trade individual stocks from small companies to the largest in the world. You can start with as little as a few euros or commit much more if you choose.
You can also trade exchange-traded funds. An ETF might track an entire stock index, so buying one ETF gives you exposure to hundreds of companies at once. Another ETF might focus on a sector like technology or healthcare, or renewable energy, or dividend-paying stocks. Some ETFs track bonds or commodities.
Beyond shares and ETFs, the platform also offers currencies, indices, commodities, and other products. You can explore what is available and decide what fits your view of the world and your appetite for risk. The platform makes it straightforward to compare options side by side.
Things to think about before you trade
Shares and ETFs are not savings. The money you put in can grow, or it can shrink. Stock markets move up and down, sometimes by a lot, sometimes in a single day. If you need your money back soon, share trading may not be right for you.
Start small while you learn how the platform works. Place a few trades with small amounts. Get used to how orders are placed and filled. Understand how to read a chart and how to set alerts. The platform is designed to be easy to use, but there is no harm in practising before you commit larger sums.
Think about what you are buying. Do you understand the company or fund? Do you know what sector it operates in? Have you looked at its recent performance and what analysts say about it? You do not need to be an expert, but you should have a reason for buying. Avoid chasing price moves or buying something just because you heard about it.
Managing your portfolio
Once you own shares or ETFs, your holdings appear on your account screens. You can see how much you paid for them, what they are worth now, and whether they are up or down. As prices move, your portfolio value changes. The platform updates in real time so you always know where you stand.
You can hold shares and ETFs for as long as you want. Many people buy and hold for months or years. Others trade more actively, buying and selling over shorter periods. It is entirely your choice. When you decide to sell, you simply place a sell order on the platform.
Keep an eye on your trades and think about why you bought each one. If your reasons for holding have changed, or if you need the money, sell and move on. If you still believe in what you own, you can hold it. The key is to be intentional. Do not let trades sit forgotten. Review them regularly and ask yourself whether they still make sense.
Getting started
Opening an account on Investfora takes a few minutes. You provide your details and complete identity verification. Once approved, you receive your dashboard with your unique bank transfer reference. You then make your first deposit of at least EUR 250. After one to three working days, the money lands and you can begin.
Start by exploring. Look at shares and ETFs in sectors that interest you. Read the platform's educational resources. Familiarise yourself with how orders work. When you feel ready, fund your trading account and place your first trade. There is no rush. Take your time to understand what you are doing.
Remember that Investfora does not give advice or recommendations. You decide what to buy and sell based on your own research and judgment. The platform gives you the tools and the market access. What you do with them is up to you. If you need guidance on financial planning or investment strategy, speak to a financial adviser.
Open an account
Deposit euros when you are ready and choose what they do next. You can start with one thing and add others later.
Written for Investfora, part of LIFT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SGEIC SA, CNMV register no. 244. This article is general information, not advice or a recommendation. The value of investments and crypto assets can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.
