Can you make money with automated investing? IFTTT answers

Automated investing has taken the investing world by storm in the past few years, as individuals have been using AI and computers to take care of their finances in the background of everyday life. Fortunately for some, long gone are the days when you are be forced to call a stockbroker, or slog through hundreds of performance reports to find the perfect companies to invest in.

By utilizing computer algorithms to analyze market trends and execute trades based on predetermined criteria, investors can benefit from lower fees, diversification, emotion-free decision-making, and time-saving advantages. While there are risks involved, such as technical glitches and lack of personalization, the potential for success lies in choosing the right platform, diversifying investments, and actively monitoring one's portfolio. With the right strategies in place, automated investing can be a powerful tool for individuals looking to grow their wealth efficiently and effectively.

In this article, we will go over the basics behind the process of automated investing, if automated investing is a good fit for you, and the question on everyone's minds: Can you make money with automated investing? We will close by introducing IFTTT, our free automation platform that hosts hundreds of useful tools that can make informed investment actions on your behalf.

What is automated investing?

Automated investing involves using computer algorithms to make investment decisions. These algorithms are designed to analyze market trends and make trades based on predetermined criteria. This means that investors do not have to manually make trades, as the computer program will do it for them.

The process of automated investing typically involves the following steps:

1. Setting up an account with an automated investing platform or service.
2. Choosing an investment strategy or portfolio based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
3. Depositing funds into the account.

The algorithm will then make trades on your behalf, based on the predetermined criteria.

The actual algorithm that decides how your funds will be invested is extremely complicated, and for most companies, a close-kept secret. However, most services can "guarantee" or at least provide a range of profit that you are expected to make based on your input parameters. Of course, these automated investing tools will take a chunk of your profit as commission, which we will discuss later in the article.

Types of automated investing

There are various types of automated investing strategies, each with its own approach and level of risk. Some common types include:

Robo-advisors: These are online platforms that use algorithms to create and manage investment portfolios for clients. They typically offer a range of investment options and charge a management fee.

Automated trading systems: These are computer programs that make trades based on technical analysis and market trends. They can be used for various types of investments, such as stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

Copy trading: This involves copying the trades of successful investors or traders. The trades are executed automatically, based on the predetermined criteria set by the investor.

The potential of automated investing

Lower Fees

Automated investing services will of course charge you a fee for their service. However, one of the main advantages of automated investing is the lower fees compared to traditional investment methods. Robo-advisors, for example, typically charge lower management fees than human financial advisors. This can result in higher returns for investors in the long run.

Diversification

Automated investing also offers the opportunity for diversification. By using algorithms to make trades, investors can spread their investments across various assets and industries, reducing the risk of losing all their money in one investment. Oftentimes, DIY traders can feel like they are only confident investing in one type of asset or industry, while automated investing can spread the total investment out among many profitable investments.

Emotion-Free Investing

Investing can be an emotional rollercoaster, with fear and greed often influencing investment decisions. With automated investing, emotions are taken out of the equation, as trades are made based on predetermined criteria. This can help investors stick to their long-term investment strategy and avoid making impulsive decisions.

Time-Saving

Another benefit of automated investing is the time-saving aspect. Investors do not have to spend hours researching and analyzing the market, as the algorithms do it for them. This frees up time for investors to focus on other aspects of their life, while still actively investing.

Risks of automated investing

Technical Glitches

As with any technology, there is always the risk of technical glitches or malfunctions. If the algorithm is not properly programmed or there is a system error, it could result in incorrect trades being made, potentially leading to financial losses. There is also the ever-present risk of data breaches or hacks, resulting in your sensitive information being aired out.

Lack of Personalization

Automated investing relies on algorithms and predetermined criteria, which means it may not take into account an individual's specific financial goals or risk tolerance. This lack of personalization could result in investments that do not align with an individual's long-term financial plan. There is also no set guarantee that the automated investing tool will earn you money, as the stock market can make completely unpredictable changes.

Market Volatility

As mentioned earlier, automated investing relies solely on market trends and technical analysis, which may not always accurately predict market movements. In times of high market volatility, the algorithms may not be able to adjust quickly enough, resulting in potential losses. It is crucial to keep in mind that there are often changes in the stock market due to an external factor,

How to make money with automated investing

Making money with automated investing is entirely possible, as long as you follow the right steps. Here is a general guide to making sure you can maximize profit from robo investing:

Firstly, research and select a reputable robo-advisor platform that aligns with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment preferences. These platforms typically use algorithms to create diversified portfolios tailored to your needs, which can help minimize risk and optimize returns over time.

Next, deposit funds into your chosen robo-advisor account. Most platforms offer a variety of account types, including taxable accounts, retirement accounts like IRAs, and more. You can typically start with a relatively small initial investment, making automated investing accessible to a wide range of investors.

Once your account is funded, the robo-advisor will automatically invest your money across a diversified portfolio of assets such as stocks, bonds, and ETFs (exchange-traded funds). These investments are chosen and managed by the platform's algorithms based on factors like your risk tolerance, investment timeline, and financial goals.

Over time, as your investments grow and generate returns, you can potentially earn money through several avenues:

Capital Appreciation: As the value of your investments increases over time, you can sell them at a higher price than you paid, realizing a profit. This is known as capital appreciation and is a primary way investors make money in the stock market.

Dividend Income: Many stocks and some ETFs pay dividends, which are regular payments made to shareholders out of a company's profits. These dividends can provide a steady stream of income, which you can reinvest to further grow your portfolio or withdraw for personal use.

Tax Efficiency: Robo-advisors often employ tax-loss harvesting strategies to minimize the taxes you owe on investment gains. By strategically selling losing investments to offset gains, you can reduce your tax liability and keep more of your investment returns.

Compound Growth: Automated investing allows you to benefit from the power of compounding, where your investment returns are reinvested to generate additional returns over time. As your portfolio grows, the amount of money you earn from compounding can increase exponentially, accelerating your wealth accumulation.

Cost Efficiency: Robo-advisors typically charge lower fees compared to traditional financial advisors, which means more of your investment returns stay in your pocket. Over time, these cost savings can add up and contribute to your overall investment gains.

By leveraging the convenience, efficiency, and personalized approach of automated investing, you can potentially generate significant returns and build wealth over the long term. However, it's important to regularly monitor and adjust your investment strategy as needed to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals and market conditions.

Our recommendations for automated investors

Monzo

The bank of the future. Instant notifications, built-in budgeting, free payments abroad. This is not banking as you know it. Monzo is a bank for everyone, built together with our community. With IFTTT, you can take the 1P / day saving challenge, log all of your purchases in a Google Sheet, and save fora rainy day, by saving every time it rains outside.

Qapital

Qapital is the everyday banking app that helps you conquer your bucket list with smarter spending and automatic savings. With IFTTT, you can save money when the temperature changes, when you hit your FitBit goals and even every time it rains.

Wealthfront

Wealthfront is a popular robo-advisor that uses algorithms to create and manage investment portfolios for clients. They offer a range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. According to their website, their average annualized return for a diversified portfolio is 7.5%.

eToro

eToro is a social trading platform that allows users to copy the trades of successful investors. They offer a range of investment options, including stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies. According to their website, their top-performing investors have achieved an average annual return of 29.1%.

IFTTT

IFTTT, our free automation platform, can help you make informed investment decisions with hundreds of pre-built automations you can enable in a few clicks. IFTTT bridges the gap between a manual investing and a full blown automatic investor, allowing you to be in control of your finances every step of the way. Whether it be receiving custom tailored finance news every morning, or being alerted when a certain stock drops, IFTTT is a priceless tool for traders all around the world.

What is IFTTT?

IFTTT is our free web-based service and mobile app designed to boost productivity by automating tasks. It works by creating connections between popular apps and services, allowing them to work together seamlessly.

The basic idea behind IFTTT is to create "applets" or sets of instructions that trigger when certain conditions are met. This can be turning on the lights automatically when you enter your house, for example.

Founded in 2011, IFTTT has been used by over 25 million individuals to automate both business and home tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency. It's commonly used to connect disparate services and systems, making all products and services work well together in a way that instills user confidence. Best of all, it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.

Top Investment Applets with IFTTT

Keep track of a stock's price at close in a Google spreadsheet

This Applet will add the closing price for the stock of your choice to a spreadsheet in your Google Drive. Remember: if you analyze the data, crack the code and figure out how to make big $$$ — we get a cut!

Change the light to green if stock price rises enough

This will automatically change the WiZ light(s) of your choice to green if the price of the stock you selected rises by more than a certain percentage compared to the last closing price.

Get IPO Filing Email Alerts

This Applet will send you an email breaking down new IPO Filings of your chosen interest. Never miss out on the chance to invest in the new up and coming company with this Applet.

Save if your investments are bringing you down

Stocks not doing so hot? Put a little cash in the bank! Make a transfer if your stocks drop by a certain percentage.

To enable these Applets and millions more (yes, millions), try IFTTT today for free!