The internet has forever changed the way we live especially when it comes to shopping, buying and, now investing.  It’s now possible for investors to conduct all of their research, open trading accounts, place orders, and move money to all parts of the world any time of day while wearing their PJs.  And now, just as gold has moved to the forefront of investors’ consciousness, many online options have sprung up for buying or trading in gold from wherever their smart phones or laptops take them.

Gold Coins or Bullion Dealers

For several years, gold coins and bullion has been available from online dealers.  Any quantity of any variety of coins or bullion can be purchased through dealers throughout the world. The online marketplace is crowded and very competitive, so it’s easy to shop and compare premium rates, storage fees and investor security.  With a high quality, reputable online dealer, you also have access to their investment research and real-time price and exchange information. Many dealers offer a choice of storage from among several international secured sites, or will ship the gold to any location.

E-Gold Exchange Sites

The newest entrants into the online gold market are e-commerce sites that deal in digital or electronic gold. The difference between these and the basic gold dealer sites is that you actually establish an account in which you can accumulate physical gold.  The gold, which can be purchased as coinage, bullion and other variations, can be accumulated in an account specified for an investment objective, such as college education expenses, or it can be delivered, at any time. Because you accumulate “units” of gold, as opposed to grams or ounces, the units can be converted into any amount of gold coins or bullion for delivery, or converted to cash.

Gold Trading Accounts

With online brokerage accounts available through such firms as E-Trade or Scott Trade, investors can trade in any marketable gold equity investment such as gold mining stocks, gold mutual funds that invest in mining stocks and other gold-based investments, or in gold exchange-traded funds (ETF).  Online capabilities include submitting buy or sell orders, transferring funds between investments or accounts, fund or stock research, and direct deposits to your bank.

It used to be that, if you wanted to own gold, your only choice was to buy gold bars through a dealer who then shipped it to you so you could deal with its storage.  It wasn’t very easy for average investors to accumulate gold in smaller quantities, so, for the most part; gold investing was left to bigger investors or institutions. The online avenues now available for accumulating gold now make it possible for investors of all types and size to participate in the potential of the new gold rush.