Building wealth through shares does not need to be difficult.
I think the best approach is to look for strong businesses that can continue to become more valuable over time, and then give them years to do the work.
Here are three ASX shares I would be happy to buy with that approach.
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Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)
Xero has become a major accounting platform for small businesses, but I still think the long-term opportunity is much larger than its current customer base.
Its software helps businesses manage accounting, payroll, payments, and other financial tasks that are central to day-to-day operations.
I like that because once a business becomes comfortable using Xero, the platform can become deeply embedded in how it operates.
The company can keep growing by adding more customers, expanding further across major international markets, and increasing the number of services existing customers use.
I think that gives Xero several ways to keep building on its existing business.
Over a long timeframe, small gains in customer numbers and product usage can add up to a much larger business.
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
NAB would give this portfolio a more established financial business.
What I like most is its strong position in business banking. Australian companies need funding, transaction accounts, payments, and other banking services as they grow, invest, and manage their day-to-day finances.
That gives NAB the opportunity to build broad relationships with business customers across several products and services.
I also think this part of the market can be attractive over the long term because successful businesses often become more valuable banking customers as they expand.
NAB still has a large personal banking operation, but its business banking strength gives it an area where it can stand out from some of its major rivals.
For me, that makes it a bank stock I would be comfortable holding for many years.
Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)
Netwealth provides investment and superannuation technology used by financial advisers and their clients.
I think the long-term opportunity comes from becoming increasingly important to those advisers.
Once client assets and processes are moved onto a platform, changing providers can involve significant work. That gives Netwealth the chance to build long-lasting relationships while continuing to improve the technology advisers use.
Australia's superannuation system also gives the company a strong backdrop.
Workers keep contributing to retirement savings, while investment returns can increase the amount of money already on platforms.
Netwealth can therefore grow by winning more advisers and clients, while the overall pool of wealth it competes for continues to expand.
I think that combination gives the business plenty of room to become larger over the next decade.
Foolish takeaway
I like these three shares because I can see clear reasons why their businesses could be stronger years from now.
Xero can keep expanding its software platform, NAB can deepen its business banking relationships, and Netwealth can capture more of Australia's growing investment wealth.
I would be comfortable buying all three and giving those opportunities plenty of time to develop.
