There are several things to consider when you want to purchase stocks. Consider your age, risk tolerance, and investment goals, among other things.
Having a handle on all of this can help you figure out the kind of equity portfolio you can create in order to meet your goals.
Here's a general guide you can follow as a starting point that you can tailor to your own situation:
Choose index funds. These are ETFs that track specific indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Russell 1000, and trade just like stocks.
Consider dividend-paying stocks. These types of stocks can help add value to your portfolio, especially when dividends are reinvested.
Companies with high growth can boost your portfolio. Growth stocks tend to be associated with companies that are able to generate a significantly high revenue at a faster rate than others.
Keep in mind, though, that this degree of growth comes with a higher level of risk, so you'll have to be a little savvier than novice investors if you want to go this route.
As always, it's a good idea to consult with a financial professional especially if you're new to the the investment world.