First, decide what kind of gold you are interested in buying. There are several types of gold, ranging from scrap to bullion products. Second, determine the form in which you would like to buy. If you buy gold bullion, you will choose between purchasing physical gold - like coins, bars, and rounds ranging from 1 gram to 100 ounces and more - or gold certificates.
A gold certificate is a piece of paper stating the specific amount of gold an investor owns that is stored elsewhere. It provides a great alternative to purchasing physical gold bullion. Gold certificates differ from gold bullion because the investor never physically encounters or stores the gold. Some investors prefer the convenience of buying gold certificates. In contrast, others wish to physically see their gold bullion in their hands - both options are available to fit the investors' preferences and investment portfolios.
After determining which form you prefer to purchase, research and identify a reputable seller. For example, the United States Mint does not sell directly to the public but offers a list of Authorized Purchasers. APMEX has been on that shortlist since 2014 and is in such good company as Deutsche Bank, Scotia Bank, and Fidelitrade, to name a few.
Finally, prepare for how you will securely protect and store your gold. There are many factors and options for this. For a small fee, you can store it with a trusted third party such as Citadel - a service offered by APMEX - or you could choose to store your gold in your own vault or lockbox at home.