[header] How to buy exchange traded funds [title] Open a brokerage account. [step] Like stocks, etfs are not available to individual investors directly, which is why those who want to buy in to these tradeable funds do so through brokers (including mutual funds acting as brokers). Many investors simply call their broker and place their trades over the phone. 
Many others, including most beginners, use online brokerage accounts. Such accounts are generally easy to use and provide the documentation crucial for trades.