Broker evaluation starting point

I've been sitting on three thousand dollars for several months now, genuinely wanting to start trading but completely stuck on the broker selection process. Every time I think I've found a good option, I read something that makes me second-guess it entirely. The sheer number of platforms available is overwhelming and I honestly can't tell which ones are legitimate operations worth trusting with real money versus ones that look professional on the surface but have serious problems underneath. Where do serious traders actually start when evaluating which broker deserves their capital?

Broker evaluation needs to follow a specific sequence to be effective. Regulation comes first and it's non-negotiable, verify the license number directly on the official regulatory authority's public register rather than accepting the broker's own claims. After confirming genuine regulation, look at how long the company has been operating because longevity in a competitive and scrutinized industry is meaningful signal. Then examine whether client funds are held in segregated accounts at reputable banking institutions, what their withdrawal process looks like in practice based on independent user reports, and finally how their total trading costs compare for your specific intended trading style and frequency.

Went through this exact research process about two years back when preparing to deploy my first three thousand and found the sequence matters enormously. Jumped ahead to comparing spreads before properly verifying regulation on my first attempt and nearly chose a broker that turned out to have regulatory issues I'd have caught immediately with proper sequencing. Eventually found resources that approached broker evaluation analytically and the difference in decision quality was immediate. This comparison framework was particularly useful: https://en.good-trading.info/brokers/3kinvestment/ It specifically addresses what matters most when starting with three thousand rather than assuming you're working with a much larger account.