Control. You don't have to rely on your broker's schedule anymore. If you're confident in your decision-making process, control over your portfolio should be an advantage. It's your portfolio, and you should ultimately be responsible for making it grow. You do the research and initiate trades. And with online services, you won't have to call your broker, wait for a call back, or deal with him droning on about the mutual fund his company is pushing.

Access to information. The Internet provides you with previously unavailable information on financial products and services. Investors interested in trading online can receive breaking industry news, analyst's reports, and real-time stock quotes and account updates, all from one website. You can take stock of your investments, check up on your trading activity, and make a trade at any time.

Convenience. The Internet gives you the ability to access your financial information from anywhere at any time. By employing the Internet, consumers are no longer restricted to making financial transactions at a physical location or during a firm's hours. And if you travel frequently, the Internet is the most convenient and reliable way to stay up to date.

Efficiency. The web gives you a platform for managing all of your finances. With the click of a mouse, consumers have access to past account statements and transaction histories without stockpiling paper. And the Internet now gives consumers the ability to review information from multiple financial providers on one site.

Economy. Increasing competition among online brokers means lower fees and commissions for you. Thanks to online investing, you can buy fifty shares of stock for $10 or $15, compared to a whopping $80 fee with a traditional broker. By using the Internet, you can put more of your money into your investments — and that means your nest egg will grow faster.