📱 Webull for Us: How to Start Investing (The Step-by-Step Version)

🎯 Who this is for:

If you’re Black and looking to level up financially, but no one ever broke investing down in a way that made sense—this guide is for you. Whether you're fresh outta high school, in your 30s rebuilding your finances, or in your 50s thinking about legacy, this is your Webull walkthrough.

1. Download Webull and Sign Up

• Go to your App Store or Google Play and search Webull.

• Download it (it’s free).

• Open the app and hit Sign Up.

• Type in your phone number or email.

• Webull will send you a code. Type it in when it arrives.

👉🏾 This is just like setting up Instagram or CashApp. Once you’re in, you’ll see a screen that says you're signed up.

2. Verify Your Identity

To legally invest in stocks, Webull needs to know who you are (they follow KYC laws).

✅ Here's what you’ll need:

• U.S. Citizenship

• Social Security Number (SSN)

• State ID or Driver's License

• Your address

📸 The app will ask you to:

• Take a photo of your ID (front + back)

• Take a selfie (real quick)

Once it matches your face to your ID—boom, you’re verified.

3. Open Your Brokerage Account

This is like opening a bank account—but for stocks.

You'll be asked:

• Employment status (it’s okay to say “unemployed” or “student” if that’s you)

• Your income range (estimate is fine)

• How much investing experience you have (say “none” or “beginner” if you're new)

🧠 Pro Tip: When they ask about “investment goals,” select Growth or Long-Term Investing if you're building wealth.

4. Cash or Margin?

📌 Pick Cash Account (keep it simple).

Margin lets you borrow money to invest, but if you're just starting—don’t do that. We’re not trying to gamble. We’re trying to grow.

5. Link Your Bank Account

This is how you’ll move money into your Webull account to invest.

💵 Here’s how:

• Click Deposit

• Choose your bank (Chase, BofA, etc.)

• Enter your login info (Webull uses a secure partner, kind of like when you use Apple Pay or link your bank to PayPal)

• Pick your checking account

• Choose how much to deposit (start with $5–$100 depending on your comfort)

⏳ It usually takes 1–3 business days to show up, but Webull might give you early access to start investing.

6. Claim Your Free Stocks

When you sign up and deposit money, Webull gives you free fractional shares (up to 75). Don’t skip this part—it’s basically free money.

🎁 Just follow the on-screen prompts after your deposit goes through.

7. Buy Your First Stock or ETF

Now the fun begins.

Start simple:

• Click on the 🔍 Search icon

• Type in VOO (that’s the S&P 500 ETF – it’s like buying a slice of America’s biggest 500 companies)

• Tap Trade → Then tap Buy

• Switch the option from Shares to Dollars

• Type in how much you want to invest (as low as $5)

• Choose Market Order (this means you’ll buy at the current price)

• Click Buy

👏🏾 You just invested. Like, for real.

8. Turn On Dividend Reinvestment (Optional)

If your stock pays you dividends (free money every few months), you can automatically reinvest it.

• Tap the Webull logo > Settings > DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan)

• Turn it on.

📈 This helps your money grow even faster—automatically.

9. Track Your Gains (and Losses)

Go to the Assets tab to see:

• Your portfolio

• How much each stock is up/down

• Total value of your investments

🎓 Don’t trip if your money goes up or down day-to-day. That’s normal.

10. Use Paper Trading to Practice

Webull gives you $1,000,000 in fake money to learn how to trade.

• Tap the Menu > then tap Paper Trade

• Try buying stocks with fake money

• Learn the flow without risking your real cash

💡 This is great for teens or anybody new to investing.

11. Selling & Withdrawing

Ready to cash out?

• Tap the stock you own

• Click Sell

• Choose Market Order again

• Click Sell

Wait 2 business days (T+2 rule) for the money to settle, then:

• Tap Transfers > Withdraw

• Choose your bank

• Confirm

✅ You’ll get your money in 1–3 business days.

Bonus Tips 💸

• Use Recurring Investments to automate your wealth: $5/week = $260/year invested.

• Avoid "day trading" at first—it’s risky.

• Use the Learn Tab to watch videos and read articles inside the app.

Final Word:

We’re not just trying to get rich quick. We’re building generational wealth and financial freedom. Webull gives us a tool to start. Whether you're investing for your kids, your retirement, or just a better tomorrow—this guide is the key.

🧠 Now that you know, share it with someone else in the community.