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What Are The Benefits of Forex Trading Tutorials

The benefits of forex trading tutorials range from getting beginners quickly up and running with trading basics, to advanced training for seasoned traders, looking to improve in a specific type of technical analysis.

Tutorials are sufficiently insightful as the people behind them usually come from a trading background and with the varying methods of delivery, tutorials can make the learning process exciting and motivational.

In this article, we will look at the main benefits of forex trading tutorials, but also, the different ways you can take a tutorial and where to find the best forex trading tutorials online. Read on and start your trading journey on the correct path to success.

How Are Forex Tutorials Delivered And Who Would Each Method Suit?

Forex trading tutorials can be delivered in differing formats, catering for varying learning styles and preferences. Each delivery method offers unique benefits and suits the different needs of traders, from newcomers to experienced traders, looking to refine their technique and strategy. In our easy to read table we list each tutorial method to give an instant overview of what might work best for you.

Tutorial Method	Description	Who Would It Suit
Online courses	Online platforms provide structured courses for all levels of trader. The courses can include a blend of written material, video lectures, quizzes and interactive components	Great for self-paced learning
Webinars and live workshops	Live webinars and workshops are conducted by educational platforms and trading experts. They offer real-time interaction with instructors, allowing for immediate Q & As	Those looking for specific topics or strategies
Video tutorials	Platforms like YouTube offer video tutorials, ranging from comprehensive guides to shorts, focusing on specific aspects of trading	Particularly helpful for visual learners
E-books and digital guides	E-books and digital guides offer easily accessible information in written form, serve as handy reference materials and range from basic guides to advanced trading concepts	For those who prefer reading to other learning formats
Interactive trading apps and games	Apps and games are designed to teach forex trading in an interactive and engaging way by gamifying the learning process to make it accessible and fun	For learners who find standard methods overwhelming
Demo trading accounts	Most online brokers provide free demo accounts where traders can practice with virtual money. These platforms are providing the chance to apply knowledge in a risk-free environment	For newbies wanting hands-on experience and knowledge
Mentorship programs	Some traders chose personalized mentorship programs where a seasoned trader gives one-on-one guidance, bespoke advice and direct feedback	For those seeking in-depth, customized learning
Trading forums and online communities	The participation in online communities and forums is a form of tutorial as members share advice, strategies and experience that gives valuable insights and peer support	For those that like to learn through community participation
Seminars and conferences	Attending conferences and seminars affords opportunities to hear from multiple experts, network with other traders	Traders wanting to stay updated on the latest trends and strategies
Workbooks and exercise sheets	Exercise sheets and workbooks provide a hands-on approach to learning, including trading scenarios, strategy planning exercises and calculations	For those who learn best through practice

Table 1

What Are The Benefits Of Forex Trading Tutorials

Here at Axcess FX, we strongly believe in the merits of forex trading tutorials and have identified several key benefits that traders of all levels can enjoy from participating in tutorials.

Constructing a trading mindset

Having the right mindset is just as important as knowledge and strategy to become a successful trader. Forex tutorials typically emphasize the significance of patience, discipline, emotional control and ongoing learning. Tutorials instruct traders to deal with wins and losses objectively and to adhere to a focused approach to trading.

Access to expert knowledge

Many tutorials are produced by industry professionals and expert traders, providing access to real-world experiences and expert insights. Such varied perspectives and advanced trading techniques are not always available in standard texts.

Staying updated

Forex trading tutorials often provide insights into current market trends and how to adjust strategies and trading systems to respond to any changes. As the forex market is so dynamic, it help traders stay relevant and responsive.

Personalized learning

Forex trading tutorials, as we have evidenced in Table 1, come in various formats, from online courses to interactive webinars and video tutorials. The variation really allows traders to select learning resources that best fit their learning preferences and pace to learn, enabling different learning styles and time schedules.

Avoiding common pitfalls

Particularly, for newcomers, it is easy to fall into common forex trading traps. Tutorials, presented by seasoned professionals are well placed to educate about these mistakes. Learning upfront about pitfalls like overtrading and having a trading plan in place can save traders from making costly oversights.

Understanding the basics

Forex tutorials are a great resource for grasping the fundamentals of forex trading. Key topics like how the global currency market works and essential trading terms is crucial foundational knowledge for new traders to successfully navigate the forex market.

Developing trading strategies

Tutorials will explore a variety of trading strategies from both a short-term and a long-term approach. It will include strategies such as day trading, swing trading and position trading. It allows traders to try out different strategies and find one that ties to their goals, risk tolerance and investment time-line.

Risk management

A vital area covered in trading tutorials is managing risk and includes:

Learning about leverage, its risks and how to use it wisely
Understanding how to use stop-loss orders to limit any sudden loss to capital on your trading account
How to trade with just a small percentage of your capital

Finding The Best Online Trading Tutorials

We have outlined the significant number of tutorial methods that exist, ranging from online courses, to webinars and E-books. With such a wide ranging choice, how do you find suitable trading tutorials for your needs?

Don’t worry, if you struggle to find suitable tutorials, we have also done some heavy lifting for you and have drawn up a short list of options for different tutorial methods.

Online course options

Babypips.com offer an excellent free online course for new forex traders at their School of Pipsology

Udemy is a great resource for high quality well-priced forex courses

Webinars

Forex.com offer a range of forex webinars for both beginners and experienced traders and you can find the webinars at this link at their trading academy.

Video tutorials

YouTube is an excellent source for forex video tutorials and an excellent one for beginners, is the Ultimate Forex Trading Course by Raynor, who has almost 2 million subscribers. The course is 2 hours long and the video is below for your convenience.

Demo trading accounts

Reputable online forex brokers offer free demo accounts for beginners to trade with virtual money in a simulated environment. Interactive Brokers, Oanda and Forex.com all offer free accounts for simulated trading.

Mentorship programs

Forexsignals.com offer one of the most comprehensive mentorship programs with access to mentors, a live trading room and proprietary trading tools. We have written a review of Forexsignals.com which you can read about.

Other options include Traders Academy Club and Asia Forex Mentor.

Trading forums

Well known forex trading forums and online communities that are worth checking out include Forex Peace Army, Reddit, Forex Factory and Babypips.

Final Thoughts

Trading tutorials are essential, as without learning the basics of forex, you may incur losses on your forex broker capital account. Armed with knowledge and employing a coherent trading strategy, including risk management, all of which you can learn through tutorials, means you will be well placed to trade proficiently.

Additional Resources

Written by Chris Gillie

Chris Gillie is the founder of Axcess FX, a forex software review and research website. He is a former investment banker who worked in FX Sales on the UBS London trading floor. Chris has been using forex trading software as part of his trading set-up since the late 2000s and the embryonic days of MetaTrader and the MQL coding language.

Simulated Forex Trading: Why It Is Vital For Traders

Simulated forex trading, also known as paper trading or demo trading, refers to a risk-free environment where forex traders can test strategies, study market dynamics, and navigate trading platforms with no risk of incurring real financial losses.

We have written this article to underline why, if you trade, it is vital to simulate all aspects of your forex system, from strategy to execution, before trading with real money. A simulated environment acts as such a safeguard.

Read on to learn about the merits of simulated forex trading and why it is crucial for traders of all levels.

Understanding Simulated Forex Trading

A simulated trading environment acts as a bridge, enabling traders to transition from theoretical knowledge to practical application. Seven key advantages of simulated trading compared to a live trading environment are highlighted in Table 1 below:

Advantages Of Simulated Trading Over Live Trading	Simulated Trading	Live Trading
1. Fosters a deep understanding of market dynamics with no risk	✔	✖
2. Engagement with real market data without financial exposure	✔	✖
3. Allows for error and learning without financial repercussions	✔	✖
4. Builds confidence in a trading system including trade execution & decision-making	✔	✖
5. Develop, test and refine trading strategies in a secure and risk-averse setting	✔	✖
6. Analyze and learn from trading results without actual financial implications	✔	✖
7. Learn the functionalities of a trading platform before using real money	✔	✖

Table 1.

Most reputable online brokers offer simulated forex trading, each with a varying degree of features and user interfaces. We will cover this in the section about which platforms provide the best simulated forex trading.

The Benefits Of Simulated Trading For Traders: In-Depth

In this section we will cover in detail, each of the seven benefits of demo trading identified in table 1.

Build a deeper understanding of market dynamics without financial risk

Simulated trading platforms allow traders to encounter market dynamics where currency movements, affected by geopolitical events and macroeconomic indicators, can be observed. Without the threat of real financial losses, traders can focus purely on market education including:

Developing a real sense of market trends and patterns
Navigation of varying market conditions and scenarios
Understanding volatility and how to manage it effectively

Engage with real market data without exposure to your capital

Although actual capital is not at risk, simulated forex trading is not just a hypothetical scenario; it is based on real-time market data.

Forex traders are still engaging with live market conditions and, witnessing first-hand how various currency pairs move in response to actual economic data and news events. Being an FX market participant without the risk of capital exposure still provides a genuine feel of the market’s nuances.

Allows for errors and learning due to the risk-free environment

Mistakes are an inevitable aspect of any learning journey. Unfortunately, mistakes in financial trading have consequences, namely a fall in capital on your trading account.

Within the safety of a simulated environment, currency traders can make errors without catastrophic consequences; instead, the mistake turns into a lesson that can be learned from. It nurtures growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of trading.

Builds confidence in your trading system, including trade execution and decision-making

Continual practice in a simulated setting will solidify a trader’s conviction in their trading system. As they continually apply, test, and adjust their approach in a demo environment, confidence in executing trades and making timely decisions will grow.

Trader confidence, honed risk-free, is a significant advantage when transitioning from simulated to live trading. Compare this to a newbie trader throwing themselves straight into the pressure of a real money-at-stake environment with no practice. Indeed, the confidence derived from successful simulated trading:

Reduces the likelihood of impulsive and emotionally driven decisions in the real market
Prepares traders mentally and strategically for live market scenarios

Enables the development, testing and refining of trade strategies in a risk-averse setting

A simulated trading platform acts as a sandbox for forex traders. Within its confines, you can:

Develop new trading strategies
Test and validate the effectiveness of strategies
Make necessary adjustments and refinements based on outcomes
Ensure that the strategy is robust and applicable to real market conditions

By optimizing their approach without financial setbacks, FX traders can ensure when trading with real money, strategies are well-calibrated.

Analyze and learn from trading results without financial implications

Post-trade analysis is a cornerstone of effective trading. In a simulated trading environment, a trader can dissect their performance, understanding both trade successes and failures. Without the emotional strain of real money at risk, this introspection is more objective and constructive, setting the stage for continual improvement.

a forex trader analyzing trading results

Permits familiarization with trading platforms and tools

Every trading platform has its unique layout, tools, and features. Etoro has its own proprietary trading platform which is different to Interactive Brokers, which in turn is different to Forex.com. It is vital to master your chosen platform to maximise trading efficiency. Forex demo-trading accounts serve as a testing ground, giving forex traders the time and opportunity to familiarize, practice, and master platform-specific functionalities; ensuring they are platform experts ahead of trading a live FX market.

What platforms offer the best simulated forex trading?

Most reputable online trading platforms cater to the needs of traders looking for simulated trading functionality. Some of the notable ones include:

Etoro: A broker with its own propriety forex trading platform that provides demo trading accounts
MetaTrader 4: A platform used by many online brokers in the U.S., including Forex.com and IG, and renowned for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive analytical tools
Interactive Brokers has a proprietary platform called TraderWorkStation TWS with a simulated trading environment.
TradingView: Known for its wide variety of technical analysis tools and social networking capabilities

Each platform comes with its unique features and capabilities, catering to different needs. For more details on forex trading software including platforms, we have a written a guide here.

Drawbacks and Criticisms

Despite the obvious benefits we have identified, simulated forex trading, it is not without its criticisms and drawbacks.

The lack of emotional involvement in a simulated environment can be a drawback and may:

Lead to a lack of accountability for trading decisions
Result in a skewed perception of trading risk and reward

Successful trading in the confines of a demo trading environment may result in overconfidence in live trading due to:

Success in a risk-free environment not necessarily translating to live trading success
Possible neglect of risk management strategies due to simulated success

There are limitations in simulating real market conditions and include:

An inability to replicate the psychological and emotional pressures of live currency trading
Potential discrepancies in data and market conditions between the simulated and live environments

A very good resource is available at Investopedia that further highlights not just the pros but also the cons of paper trading.

The Difference Between Backtesting and Simulated Forex Trading

Another type of strategy affirmation is backtesting, and like simulated trading is an important verification process used by traders before deploying a new forex strategy in live trading.

Whereas simulated trading, is trading a non-live version of the current forex market, backtesting is the use of historical price data to test a strategy and see how it would have worked in past market conditions. The two however, do work hand-in-hand.

The MT4 and MT5 (Meta Trader) based platform used by many online brokers has their own strategy tester that can be used for backtesting with historical data. It has a 90% modeling accuracy and although useful is not as reliable as the 99% accuracy available through external backtesting software that interprets data, such as Birt’s Tick Data suite.

Many traders will use both testing methods. They will put a prospective forex strategy through a rigorous backtesting trial to see if it is profitable. They can then undertake further diagnostics by putting the strategy through it’s paces in a simulated market environment using live current market prices. The trader can then adjust and improve the performance of the strategy, all in a safe no risk environment.

A notable concern with backtesting is overfitting. Overfitting happens when a strategy is fine-tuned to perfection on historical data but fails to replicate those outcomes in real-world markets.

We have an in-depth written resource here at Axcess FX about backtesting as part of creating a profitable and reliable automated trading strategy.

How To Transition From Simulated Trading To Live Trading Effectively

We have identified four areas you should focus on to ensure a smooth transition from simulated to live trading. If you can adhere to them, you have given yourself every chance of making real money.

Gradually introduce real capital into the mix by starting with a smaller than normal trade size. It will allow you to open the door to live trading while maintaining an even more conservative risk management strategy than you are used to.
Continue to analyze and learn from a live trading experience instead of reducing focus on this important part of a robust trading system.
Be mindful of the psychological and emotional differences between simulated and live trading. It may not be evident at first, but if you start entering and exiting trades without adhering to the rules of your tested strategy and risk management process then take a step back.
Ensure all forex trading strategies tested in a simulated environment are adaptable, with room for adjustment and not overfitted before you start trading live.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has convinced you of the merits of simulated forex trading before moving into a live trading environment.

It is all too easy, especially for newcomers, in a desire to start making money quickly, not to build a reliable forex trading system. Simulated trading is your safeguard to jumping the gun. If you combine it with backtesting you will be well placed for a chance at success.

Related Resources

How to troubleshoot a forex robot that is performing badly

Written by Chris Gillie

Automated Forex Trading Software: The Role of Robots & EAs

Forex robots and Expert Advisors are scripts that are coded with automated forex trading strategies.

The primary way to use automated software is to import these scripts into a forex platform such as the well-respected MetaTrader platform. Many robots and EAs develop using the Metaquote MQL language and deploy on both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).

The automated forex trading software can perform trading operations once imported into the trading platform, some with minimum trader intervention according to the algorithm’s pre-set conditions.

Are Forex Robots and Expert Advisors the same?

Forex robots and Expert Advisors are both very similar types of automated forex trading software. Both are involved in the analytical part of a trade. Both undertake market analysis including charts using their internal algorithms and technical indicators to find high probability trades’ entry points.

There is one crucial difference. A forex robot will perform trades without the need for manual sign off. An Expert Advisor is just responsible for generating trading signals, advising you if they think you should trade but not placing a trade for you. Forex robots automate the full process from trade signal to trade placement with no trader intervention.

The Main Features of Expert Advisors and Forex Robots

The algorithmic trading programs coded into EAs and forex robots are often capable of performing varying functions.

Except for automatic order placement, which is limited to forex robots, they share the following functionality:

Alerting the trader about market events
Risk control via pre-settled money management policies
Monitoring the compliance of a strategy concerning market conditions
Place orders to trade according to specific conditions
Opening, closing, or partial close of market orders according to the algorithm

Video Insight

An excellent video discussing whether you should trade with automated forex trading robots:

The Advantages of Automated Forex Trading Software

There are many pros of forex trading by robot and the most important are the following:

24/5 trading: A robot for trading forex will automatically enter and exit forex trades during a specified period if that is part of its programming. It means a trader does not have to be present to manage the trade placements. It could allow 24-hour trading at high volume, which is not possible for a human being. It reduces the chance of missed trading opportunities that a human trader may encounter due to physically being unable to trade. Many traders chose to use forex trading bots as their sole trading method, while others will use it as part of a broader overall strategy.

Forex Robots remove human emotion: Even disciplined traders working within a robust forex trading system can be susceptible to placing trades that may not align with strategy rules. Times of high volatility or chasing a loss can see traders who place manual trades that do not follow the logic, incur large trading losses. Automation removes psychology from trading with a focus just on following a strategy.

Backtesting automated forex trading software: To get an insight into how profitable automated trading systems are depends on the strategy. It is critical to undertake a backtest of the automatic trader software and have a robust money management system in place from the onset. Backtesting is essential for getting a better idea of the robot’s performance, including risk versus reward and other variables and indicators. However, good your strategy, without backtesting and money management in place, you will fail. Get it right from the beginning. Below is an example of a robot strategy backtest:

Screenshot of a forex robot strategy backtest

The Disadvantages of Forex Robots

Using a robot for forex trading does have its disadvantages; however, these are starting to be addressed as more advanced EAs come onto the market and lower cost and faster access to FX trading.

Narrow trading conditions: Forex Robots work best with a single currency pair and in markets trading in a limited range. Volatile forex markets with large trading ranges see more mixed results. A small number of sophisticated EAs are incorporating increasingly complex algorithms with dynamic features, including recognizing when forex market conditions are becoming more volatile and adjusting for it. Forex Robotron is a sophisticated robot. For example, it has a dynamic stop loss and close profit feature. When this is activated, as soon as an open trade starts to lose money, the position is closed, which overrides the default stop loss position.

The requirement for a VPS server: The only downside to using robots is the need to leave your computer on if you want a robot forex trading continuously, and this requires a reliable server, which costs more. Using a VPS or Virtual Private Server instead of lower-cost shared hosting is essential to trade forex reliably lowering the risk of glitches or slow connections, which can affect trade placements.

Who Needs Automated Forex Trading Software?

A forex robot can be employed by all forex trader levels, from the beginner to the professional trader.

A beginner may rely on a robot to generate regular profit as they learn how to trade. In contrast, using a defined trading strategy, a professional trader will employ a robot as an accompaniment to their trading system. Professionals often tend to use automated software to generate trade signals but will decide whether they will place the trade.

Do Forex Robots Work?

A Forex robot can work well if it is employed correctly. A Forex robot should be considered as a tool that identifies market trends and generates forex trading signals that you, as a trader, can choose to act upon. It is the true definition of an EA, where you have the final say if you want to place that identified trade.

Where you choose when to trade means the EA is an extension of your trading system where settings and parameters are aligned as closely as possible to your strategy and currency pairs traded.

To employ a robot correctly does require an underlying knowledge of forex trading. Beginners who use fully automated robots to execute trades are less likely to see the full benefits of employing a robot unless they get trading experience through backtesting and practicing using a demo account.

How Much is A Forex Trading Robot?

Forex robots are traditionally available for purchase for a one-off fee, which offers lifetime updates. Prices vary from below $250 for long-established robots like WallStreet Forex Robot 3.0 to over $500 for Forex Flex EA. One of the few forex robots that retails on a subscription basis is Forex Real Profit EA. The complexity of the algorithms often dictates the price. Robots that include dynamic features that can adjust to changing market conditions tend to be at the upper price level. Most reputable developers will offer a 30 or 60 day money-back guarantee.

Some developers are now starting to offer automated software on a subscription basis. The merits of this from both the programmer and the user perspective is it allows ongoing development of the robot, making sure it continues to trade profitably by continuous review of built-in algorithms. Forex Real Profit EA is available on a subscription at a cost of $199 a year.

What is the Best Forex Trading Robot?

There is a multitude of forex trading robots available on the market, particularly compatible with the MetaTrader trading platform. Reputable resources that verify robot performance include MyFXbook. We have also researched and created a list of the top Expert Advisors according to a strict set of criteria to help you undertake due diligence and make an informed decision to finding the best forex robots to fit with your trading system.

At Axcess FX, we consider a low drawdown the most vital metric to gauge a robot. Drawdowns are the fall in the capital on your forex broker trading account following losing trades in real-time trading. It is the calculation of the difference between the relative peak in trading capital and the relative trough in the capital and is represented as a percentage.

screenshot of verified performance data on myfxbook — **A screenshot of verified performance of a forex robot on MyFXbook**

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

If you are new to forex trading and are considering automated forex trading software, try and build a knowledge base first, including defining your possible trading strategy and style.

Remember, experienced traders still want to maintain control and a more hands-on approach to forex trading and use an Expert Advisor to identify trade opportunities as part of a trading system, with manual trade placement as a preferred step.

Related Resources

Forex robots compared to copy trading and forex signals

Written by Chris Gillie

Trading Forex in 5 Steps: The Dummies Guide

Forex is one of the fastest moving financial instruments meaning the forex market is volatile and unpredictable and a daunting place if you do not know what you are doing.

As a beginner, you must accept that you will need to learn the basics. Here are the five steps required to start trading the forex markets proficiently in our forex trading for dummies guide.

1. Get a Basic Forex Education

Learn the basics. There are plenty of online guides, forex tutorials, and courses available for those starting forex trading. Substantial learning to trade resources are available online including Babypips.com, Investopedia and thebalance.com. Forex.com has excellent educational tools to help you trade, Dailyfx.com provides a highly recommended guide for beginners and Forex Mentor Pro offers a full suite of tools including live trading sessions to teach beginners how to become a profitable trader at an affordable price.

At the start, you need to understand the fundamentals of the forex market, how forex quotes work, and the major market participants.

Forex market fundamentals

Currencies like stocks can be freely traded. The key difference is currencies trade Over The Counter (OTC) between a buyer and seller and not on an exchange, like the NYSE as stocks do.

The forex market trades around the clock, 24/5, throughout three major trading sessions: the European, U.S, and Asian session, centered around London, New York, and Tokyo. All three trading sessions overlap, providing 24/5 coverage from the Sunday evening Asian trading session until the U.S. trading session’s close on the following Friday evening. The London and New York trading session is the most liquid where spreads are the narrowest.

How do forex quotes work?

You cannot trade one currency in isolation; it needs pairing with another currency, creating a ‘currency pair.’ A currency quote reflects the first currency’s price in terms of the second currency in the pair. If GBP USD (sterling versus us dollar, also known as Cable) is trading at 1.3500, it means that one GBP will purchase 1.3500 USD.

Currency pairs quote down to four decimal places. The final decimal represents the smallest increment that a currency can change in price and is known as one pip. Retaking our GBP USD example, if the currency pair increases from 1.3500 to 1.3550, it means a rise of 50 pips, and a forex trader will express the amount of profit (or loss) in terms of pips.

Who are the primary forex market participants?

Before the advent of the internet, the foreign exchange market was dominated by predominantly institutional participants such as major banks, large international companies, central banks, and investment funds.

With the advance in technology, the retail investor has now joined the big players in the forex markets as online forex brokers provide low-cost market access with tight spreads through their trading platforms. Retail foreign exchange is continuing to grow as small forex traders take advantage of trading anywhere they have a device, whether pc, tablet, or mobile with internet connectivity.

2. Raise Your Knowledge to The Next Level

This second step should start to include learning about technical and fundamental analysis and an understanding of both manual and automated forex software, including Expert Advisors and charting tools and packages.

This step also includes researching different types of strategies as the aim is to build your forex education to a level where you can start to mold a trading style that plays to your strengths.

There are four broad types of forex trading strategies, which are position trading, swing trading, day trading, and scalping. Position trading is taking a longer-term strategic currency position. Simultaneously, scalping is the shortest strategy with currency trades sometimes opened for just seconds to take advantage of only a few pips of profit. Choosing a preferred strategy may come down to your character, with an analytical thinker choosing to use fundamentals as a basis for taking out a long-term view using position trading.

To gain all the essential knowledge to start trading, it is vital to watch tutorials, participate in online courses, and follow trading forums. Forums have developed useful ways of tutoring about the basics of currency trading for dummies and showing beginners instant trading results. Forex Mentor Pro has an excellent active member forum that you get access to when you sign up for an affordable membership and learn how to trade profitably. Forex Guy also has a good forum and Second Skies Forex offer a 12-chapter trading forex for dummies course.

Particularly, when looking at forums, try and pay close attention to what successful forex traders are doing and what you can take from their strategies and techniques relevant to you and from which you can mold a system around.

currency charting software on a pc screen

3. Open An Account With An Online Broker

To trade Foreign Exchange, you will need an online trading account provided by a reputable brokerage. Any online broker selected should include the following considerations:

Consider an ECN broker

Ensure that the broker uses ECN (electronic communications networks) to give you direct access to other currency market participants. ECN brokers match trades between buyers and sellers and do not trade against their clients, instead passing orders to liquidity providers. ECN brokers provide the tightest spreads and only charge a fixed commission per forex trade. Tight spreads are particularly relevant if you are adopting a scalping strategy.

Your chosen broker should use Metatrader

Chose an online broker that uses the MetaTrader 4 forex trading platform (MT4). MT4 licenses to forex brokerages who then provide the software to their retail traders. It is a flexible platform built on the MQL coding language employed by most forex trading software that you may choose to use as part of your more overall trading strategy. It may include enhanced technical analysis tools or an Expert Advisor as part of an automated or semi-automated trading setup.

Only use a regulated broker

Not only are tight spreads, fair commissions, excellent customer service, and MT4 capability important when choosing a broker, it is also very important to ensure the broker is fully regulated.

If you are a U.S. based forex trader, you are required to use a broker that holds full registration with the CFTC (Commodities and Futures Trading Commission). This highly respected regulatory framework safeguards investors’ interests by ensuring a broker maintains complete records, reports, and disclosure. To become CFTC registered, a broker needs to keep a substantial holding deposit with the regulator, meaning not all brokers can offer their services to U.S. currency traders. Investopedia has an excellent resource for comparing forex brokers including those considered the best for US Traders.

Finally, a good demo account is also desirable, as that is an integral part of becoming a proficient forex trader, and we cover this next.

4. Start Using A Demo Account to Dial In Your Strategy

As a novice trader, the first thing you should do is trade forex using a demo account provided by your online forex broker.

A demo account works in the same way as trading real money on your brokerage capital account. It will allow you to trade a theoretical amount in a live environment without putting your capital at risk.

Most online brokers do offer a degree of training on their platforms, including charting tools for technical analysis which is well worth going through as it will give you an idea of what you should be looking for on charts to complement your system for trading in forex.

Demo accounts additionally serve to familiarise yourself with a broker’s electronic trading platform. When you trade with real money, you must be proficient with the order entry system, so you do not incorrectly enter a forex trade and lose money.

5. Integrate Forex Trading Software to Complete Your Trading Style

Once you are operating with a demo account, it will be essential to have at the very least a charting package. Some of the more basic charting software tools are free, and there is an annual subscription for others. It is best, to begin with, the platform’s free version provided to get a feel for how they work. You can then choose more advanced charting software packages such as TradingView, or Esignal offered on a subscription basis.

Automated software can also be a great option as part of a broader trading system. Using automated trading takes the emotion out of trading. You can use a pre-programmed Expert Advisor (EA) to identify forex trends by following a set of rules and which then recommends trades based on any signal identified.

Some EAs, also known as forex robots, will also place any identified trade directly onto the currency market without the need for human intervention. Automated software allows you to place trades automatically, meaning you do not have to be at your desk for long hours. The robot does the heavy lifting. Many professional forex traders do, however, prefer to maintain an element of control by only using EAs to identify trades and then choosing whether to act upon them or not.

Read more about forex robots in our detailed guide on how to find a profitable forex robot to accompany your trading strategy.

Go Live

Now you are ready to go live and start trading with real money. At this stage start with small trades and adhere to two principles:

Risk management

Make sure your money management system is strict, and do not trade with more than 1% of your capital. Combine this and always use a stop loss to avoid any significant losses.

Statistical Expectancy

Think about your overall trading strategy and statistical expectancy and not about individual trades. The aim over the long term is to trade using probability, and if you know your trades have a good chance of making a profit over the long run, individual trades are irrelevant.

We have two further written resources that provide more related reading to this article:

How to navigate to the journey to an expert trader

10 useful tips on how to trade forex profitably.

Written by Chris Gillie

Do Forex Robots Improve Your Winning Odds?

If you trade forex, you will know that timing is critical. A forex robot can take the guesswork out of flaws in human timing, including emotion, by not only identifying trades but if you choose to do so the robot also automatically enters and exits trades with no manual intervention.

Trading forex can be very exciting and profitable, but remember, it is a zero-sum game. For every FX winner, there is a loser on the other side of the trade. To be a winner, you only need to be right a little more than half the time.

As part of your broader trading system, can you expect to be a winner more than half the time with a forex robot?

To help answer this question, it is crucial to undertake rigorous research before adding a forex robot, also known as an Expert Advisor (EA) to be part of your trading system.

Once you have identified an EA to match your strategy, it is then vital to both backtest and undertake at least 50 trades with it by forward testing in a demo environment before progressing the robot to real account trading.

Research is Key

As part of your forex robot research, it is essential to consider the following points when considering adding a robot to your existing trading strategy.

Compatibility

Does the Expert Advisor’s underlying trading strategy align with your trading strategy?

For example:

Does it trade the currency pair or pairs that you already trade?
Are you a day trader using a scalping strategy? If so, a scalper robot like Forex Megadroid is probably the most relevant robot to your trading system.
Do you trade a particular session? If so, does a robot also generate trade signals during that session?

The Key Metrics for Evaluating Robots

To verify robot performance as part of your research, the robot developer must have verified performance data on a real trading account for you to analyze. Two essential resources provide this data, MyFXbook and FX Blue. Consider the following statistics as part of your research:

Profit factor

The profit factor can reveal whether a robot makes money, and so is a crucial metric. The profit factor or PF displays the relationship between profit and risk, calculated by dividing gross profit by the gross loss on all trades. An EA with a PF of less than 1.0 should not be considered for selection as it will lose you money.

Risk-reward ratio

The risk-reward ratio is an indication of a robot’s level of risk. A high risk-reward ratio indicates that a robot has a riskier strategy coded into its algorithm and should be openly questioned.

The golden risk-reward level of 3:1 is considered the benchmark to apply to a trading system where every $1 risked expects to see $3. It means that you could trade profitably with a robot that is only correct 50% of the time. Consider the below table that illustrates this point where if you only had winning trades 50% of the time you would still make an overall profit over 5 trades of $20,000 using a 3:1 risk-reward ratio.

Trade	Loss	Win
1	$2,000	$6,000
2	$2,000	$6,000
3	$2,000	$6,000
4	$2,000	$6,000
5	$2,000	$6,000
Total	$10,000	$30,000

Drawdown

Drawdown is an essential metric and represents the maximum loss percentage since the last high point on your capital trading account. It can be analyzed by studying an equity curve chart. If a chart has large peaks and troughs, it is an indication of volatility. A robot with a high drawdown is not only volatile but also poses a higher risk. Consider robots with a low drawdown like Forex Flex EA represented by a steadily rising chart.

a forex robot looking at a currency chart

Maximum drawdown

This metric represents the robot’s maximum loss after the last high point in capital on your trading account. For example, a 60% drawdown indicates that an EA lost 60% of the trading capital value at one point. If it were to occur right after trading started, it would mean an instant fall of 50% in your capital account!

Average drawdown

Average drawdown is the comparison of several different drawdown amounts. If a robot has five drawdowns, adding them up and dividing by five gives the average drawdown. It will offer you an idea of the average loss size during a period of drawdown.

Backtesting is Vital to Verify a Forex Robot’s Results

Some forex robots are programmed to be quite active and will put on trades several times a day. Others will trade less frequently, only when conditions are optimal. Some automated programs, such as Forex Flex EA have a lengthy history of positive reviews and long-term backtesting to confirm their validity. You can also look at the results obtained from recent live trades for confirmation.

Best of all, you can link them to the MetaTrader demo account without risking real money. It should provide the necessary validation. If you are a new or a seasoned trader, a robot can help you become more profitable as part of a robust forex strategy.

Statistical expectancy

It is essential to completely disconnect from whether your next trade placement makes a profit or a loss. If your underlying strategy has an edge, you do not have to be right even half the time to trade profitably. Statistical expectancy allows you to evaluate your trading system’s performance objectively by testing robot performance from fifty trades.

Forex robots allow 24/5 trading

There is a vast choice of automated trading software that allows robots to direct your trading through algorithms. Most are simple to install and get running, linking right into your online broker’s platform.

If your broker uses the MetaTrader platform, then automated software integration should be straightforward as most robot developers use the MQL language code of MetaTrader for scripting forex robots.

Conclusion

Forex trading can be profitable and exciting. By undertaking extensive research and testing to get the right forex robot trading for you, further reinforcing trade signals aligned to your strategy means guesswork is further reduced. The risk of trading outside the confines of your strategy through psychology also reduces.

For every side that there is a winner, there is also a loser. Which side would you prefer to be?

Written by Chris Gillie

Considerations When Buying Forex Trading Software

Purchasing the right forex trading software at the outset is crucial if trading software is part of a broader FX strategy that you want to pursue. Opting for the wrong software and your forex trading career could go from very good to very poor in a short time.

The concept of using forex software, which provides you with charts and graphs and sends signals, may seem desirable. However, to justify the implementation of software, your sole concern when undertaking research should be functionality alone.

Search online and find out as much as you can. Do your homework and make sure you understand what you need to know. Unless you know how all the features in forex trading software works, you will not be in an excellent position to analyze the software by backtesting and paper trading as part of a broader strategy.

Forums as soundboards

If you feel you may have identified the right forex software package, hold off instead of purchasing it immediately. Authoritative reviews and forum feedback on the software are essential reading. You need to invest in the software only when your exhaustive research has identified that it is the best option for any more comprehensive trading strategy.

We have a detailed guide that covers the merits of thoroughly using online reviews to identify the best software.

The best forums for foreign exchange where you can interact with the Forex Community, including for trading software include but are not limited to the following:

EarnForex

A forum with a large community ensuring quick answers to your questions

MT5 Forum

A valuable forum dedicated to software around the MetaTrader trading platform

Forex Abode Forum

A forum with a large community with a heavy emphasis on the subject of analysis

Babypips Forum

A forum focusing on the needs of beginners which is the overall aim of the Babypips site

Forex automated trading systems and software explained

No product becomes popular without possessing something attractive and beneficial for the targeted user. The industry of trading has become quite popular and there are number of reasons for this popularity. Some of the benefits include the fact the foreign exchange market is open day and night all over the world and is extremely liquid. Currently, it has been reported that every day 2$ billions changes hands.

Automated trading systems play an important role in this industry. Through the program you can trade currencies online on autopilot, without needing any human supervision. The aim of the program is to maximize your profits to its full potential. It achieves its purpose by identifying and capitalizing on signals when to initial or exit trades as per the parameters initially defined.

They are scripted and encoded in a way that the mathematical algorithms are able to produce money-spinning results. It is worthwhile to mention that functioning of these systems is dependent very much on the extent of how well the system has been executed and programmed.

Although the systems work on autopilot, your trading skill and the experience you have as a trader is also important as it increases your chances of finding and exploiting more trading opportunities. Trading programs can be aiding tools in the process of your earning money, but your trading skills remain your most important assets.

They can only help but not lead the way to success. Also, you have to understand that there are no immediate returns, systems can be beneficial in long term and you must understand how they function.

It is generally claimed that most programs can generate a regular income for $100 or so to say the least. But that is not always true. The back tests that they offer as a proof are not actually a proof. The reason being those tests are conducted in only favorable conditions without projecting the element of unpredictability of the market. Often it is assumed that the simulation profits of the software will actually repeat itself in real life. However, it is not history. Simulation track record never repeats itself.

It is a very difficult choice as in which autopilot system is suitable for you. There are numerous trading systems available. Not all of these trading systems are useful. Some of them are just worthless pieces of software. But is it not like going to the moon and back to find an affordable system which actually performs well. I would suggest that you choose systems, which has good price and all the functions are as per your business needs.

Avoiding Mistakes – Forex Tips for beginners

Depleting your capital account with your online broker is undesirable.

As an inexperienced trader, what are the ways that you can cut out mistakes and limit trading losses?

We highlight what essential controls need to be maintained to at least give yourself a chance to make profits as a forex trader.

Essential controls to avoid trading mistakes

1 Master one strategy at a time

If you are new to forex trading, trying to learn too many strategies could slow up your learning process and cause losses on your trading account.

As you become more experienced, it is reasonable to use different trading strategies, but at the beginning, master one strategy at a time.

2 Simplify your trading

Novice traders tend to overcomplicate trading creating technical indicators and trying different expert advisors. If you use chart software, your chart may obscure by all the technical indicators flashing up on the screen.

It is best to focus on the raw price action that presents itself on every chart. Learn what the price is telling you, and the simplicity of trading will become apparent to you.

3 Avoid trading in different markets

Novice traders tend to trade on multiple markets with little understanding of the market. Known as noise trading, traders enter trades without the proper technical or fundamental research to justify the trade. If you want to trade on different markets, it is essential first to trade them on a demo account.

4 Over leveraging positions

Inexperienced traders are often susceptible to using too much leverage in their trades. Online brokers offer levels of leverage that put the capital account of a new trader at risk. Leverage of more than 100:1 is not uncommon. As the amount of leverage magnifies the profit and loss on a trade, it needs monitoring.

5 Lack of research

Proper research of a currency pair or currency market is essential to trade successfully. In-depth analysis should shed light on entry and exit timings and market trends. There may be slight differences between currency pairs and how they work. Detailed research is essential to put a proper strategy in place.

The Importance of Demo Trading in Forex

A vital forex tip is to use a demo account when you first start trading online.

Undertake demo trading for the first three months before you start trading with real money. All good online brokers will offer a demo account.

It is a crucial tip to cut your teeth on the forex trading demo account. Familiarize yourself with the software and the platform. It is essential only to study one or two of the major currency pairs; the major currency pairs are the best to follow as they are the most liquid.

Demo trading allows you to develop a feel for the market

A demo account allows you to get a feel for your chosen currency pairs’ movements. Demo trading also allows you to hone your wider forex strategy through backtesting and paper trading until you are ready to progress to real money. F

or example, Cable or the GBP/USD can be very busy in the morning European session but is quieter once the American market gets into full swing. Learn and get a feel for these and other such trends before you start trading with real money.

The best way to trade forex is to confirm a trend. A trend is confirmed by looking at a chart, a process known as technical analysis. Many traders make it their business to predict where the market is going before it happens and trade accordingly. It is a crucial and essential for forex trading.

Bonus tip

Depending on what time frame you want to take a strategic position will make a big difference for your overall strategies. A bonus tip is if you are taking a position over the short term, perhaps one week to one month, then you do not want to be looking at a long term chart. When you are starting, have a plan, and keep everything simple.

Historical charts, patterns and signals

Professional forex traders use charts to check the markets daily, and view historical data to make informed decisions as part of their overall trading strategy.

Basing decisions on historical forex charts, records and patterns in order to make sound and rational decisions is common sense. For example, cable has sat below 2.40 since 1980 and has never been back to the same spot ever since. Such data, must be valuable to a position trader.

Charts can give you a long term report of the position and strength of certain pairs. Inevitably there will be pairs that remain strong throughout.

Charts are crucial for making rational decisions based on signals and patterns

As well as trading software, credible historical forex charts are made available by economic institutions that have been involved in the long term analysis of fundamental and technical trends.

It is important that you derive your historical charts from a reputable institution as the value of the chart is diminished based on the lack of accuracy.