Build Your First ETF Portfolio in 60 Minutes Step by Step Guide

“I wish I had started earlier.”

That is something I hear from so many people when investing comes up. Most imagine that building an ETF portfolio takes days, spreadsheets, and almost a degree in finance. In reality, it is much simpler. With focus, clarity, and without the pressure to be perfect.

In this article, I will show you how to set up your first ETF portfolio in just 60 minutes. Step by step. In a way that helps you actually take action instead of just thinking about it.

What is an ETF portfolio, really?

An ETF is essentially a basket of securities that usually tracks a market index. Inside one ETF, you can find many different shares and or bonds. Instead of buying the shares of one company, you buy exposure to many companies at once, often entire markets.

A portfolio means that you either combine more than one ETF or make a conscious decision about how broadly you want to invest. This alone takes a lot of pressure off. In financial theory, a portfolio is a collection of investments combined in a way that best supports your goals.

At the beginning, many people think they need to understand everything perfectly. You do not. A first ETF portfolio is allowed to be simple. Very simple.

Why 60 minutes are enough

I used to spend hours comparing ETFs, reading articles, and then changing my mind again. In the end, I did nothing at all. That is the biggest mistake.

In reality, only a few decisions really matter. Your goal, your time horizon, your risk tolerance, and a clear structure. Everything else is fine-tuning.

If you focus on what matters, 60 minutes are more than enough. And yes, a good portfolio today is far better than a perfect one that never happens.

Step 1: Define your goal and time horizon

Ask yourself honestly why you are investing. Is it for retirement, long-term wealth building, or more freedom in ten to twenty years?

Your time horizon is crucial. The longer you stay invested, the more ups and downs you can tolerate. That brings peace of mind.

When I started, I did not have a clear goal. Everything sounded somehow good. Only when I defined it clearly, long-term wealth growth over more than fifteen years, did the portfolio start to make sense.

Step 2: Assess your risk tolerance realistically

Risk sounds easy in theory until markets fall. Then you suddenly feel what minus fifteen percent really means.

Imagine checking your account and everything is red. Do you stay calm or do you panic? Being honest with yourself here is essential.

Many people underestimate their emotions. When a correction happens, not only your mindset but also your time horizon has to support your decision. That is why starting slightly more conservatively and adjusting later is often better than selling everything at the worst possible moment. Studies have shown that emotional decisions can cost investors up to five percent in returns per year.

Step 3: Choose the right ETFs

This is where many people freeze. There are thousands of ETFs with complex names, and making a choice feels overwhelming. The good news is that you do not need ten products for your first portfolio.

Broad global ETFs such as those tracking the MSCI World or the FTSE All World are often ideal for beginners. They cover many countries and sectors and reduce single-company risk. You can combine them with an emerging markets ETF such as the MSCI Emerging Markets index if you want additional exposure.

A simple structure like seventy percent global equities and thirty percent emerging markets has historically delivered strong results. According to data from extraETF, such a portfolio achieved around sixty-five percent return over the referenced period.

If you want an even simpler approach, you can also look at structured solutions that combine multiple asset classes in one product. One example is the Smart All World ETP, which is globally diversified, focused on future themes, and can serve as a solid starting point.

Step 4: Portfolio structure and weighting

Many beginners ask how many percent should go where.

My answer is always the same. Better roughly right than perfectly wrong.

A common starter setup is one hundred percent global equities or a simple combination of growth and stability. Not complicated. Not overloaded. There are many theories and methods to build an ETF portfolio, and just as many opinions.

My advice is to focus on broad indices at the beginning. If you want inspiration, tools like our ETF allocation sheet can help. You will find it in module eight of the Money School.

I made the mistake of combining too much at the start. In the end, I no longer knew why certain positions were there. Less really is more.

Step 5: Choose a broker and implement your portfolio

Your broker is the gateway to the market. What matters is clarity, reliability, and transparent fees.

Pay attention to usability, whether ETF investing is straightforward, and whether ETF savings plans are available at low cost. This is especially important if you want to invest regularly.

Yes, costs matter. But do not let them paralyse you. A clear and affordable setup beats endless comparison.

At this point, many people choose brokers like Saxo for their ETF savings plans and automated investing features. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable using the platform.

Step 6: Stay invested without constant changes

The biggest success factor is not intelligence. It is patience and discipline. Markets fluctuate. That is normal.

You do not need to check a broadly diversified portfolio every week. Once or twice a year is usually enough. Everything else is noise.

Regular monthly investing can even work in your favour. You buy sometimes at higher prices, sometimes at lower prices, and benefit from an average entry price over time.

I used to react too often. Today I know that staying calm is a strategy, and a very effective one.

Common mistakes with a first ETF portfolio

One of the most common mistakes is information overload. Videos, social media, advice from friends, all mixed together.

Another is giving up too early. When markets drop, many people think they were right to be sceptical. But downturns are normal. Selling during a correction means missing the recovery, which can double the damage.

The third mistake is never starting. Perfection blocks action. Action creates experience and progress.

FAQ: Quick answers to common questions

How much money do I need to start?
Often, small amounts are enough. For example, fifty Swiss francs per month. Regularity matters more than the amount.

One-time investment or monthly?
Both are possible. Many people prefer ETF savings plans because they are automatic, low stress, and benefit from average pricing.

What happens if markets fall?
This is when your portfolio is tested. Do not panic. Stick to your plan. Studies show that over a ten-year period, the probability of losing money with a broad global equity portfolio is very low.

Conclusion: Your first ETF portfolio does not have to be complicated

Your first ETF portfolio is not an exam. It is the start of your journey.

You do not need to know everything. You just need to begin.

Sixty minutes, a clear goal, and a simple setup are enough.

Then stay invested, learn, and grow. If you want, you can take your first step today.