You may be aware, many traders who buy and sell shares end up losing money, sometimes a lot of money. Many people initially think it is an easy way to make a lot of money, especially if leverage is used.

Whilst this can be true, a lot of people still lose money. Personally, I do not trade short time frames, only longer term. I have found this to be the best option for me personally, but you need to find what works for you.

There are a lot more successful long term traders than there are short term. Its not jsut the case for stock market trading. It is also true for trading most securities, be it gold, oil, currencies etc.

Before we try our trading strategy on a live stock trading account, it can be an excellent idea to first try the strategy on a simulated stock trading game. Whilst it may be highly tempting to trade real money, it is extremely risky if the strategy has not been tested.

Testing a strategy on a simulated trading account is an ideal way to see if the strategy works or not with absolutely no risk to your money whatsoever.

Whether you are an experienced trader or a new trader looking to learn how to trade stocks, a simulated stock trading account is very important.

Whilst simulated trading does not fully prepare you for the emotional highs and lows of stock trading, it does help to a degree and it does let you practice the basics of trading like placing trades, orders etc.

There are many platforms out there that let you trade a demo stock trading account. One I have come across is wall street survivor. There is a good wall street survivor review here.

In conclusion, I would say practice your trading on a simulation initially. Lose dummy money, not real money. It will not feel anything like as bad, I can promise you.