Starting out with ASX shares doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, keeping things simple is often the best strategy — especially when you're just dipping your toe in the water.

Rather than chasing the next hot stock, beginners are often better off focusing on high-quality businesses with strong fundamentals, industry leadership, and clear long-term growth stories.

If I were building a beginner-friendly ASX share portfolio today, here's a simple mix of three standout stocks that could help set the foundation for long-term success. They are as follows:

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Kicking things off is WiseTech Global, a global leader in logistics software. Its flagship platform, CargoWise, is used by some of the world's largest freight and logistics operators to manage complex global supply chains.

WiseTech is a true Aussie tech success story. It boasts ~95% recurring revenue, exceptionally low churn, and EBITDA margins hovering around 50%. While this ASX share has been volatile lately, its long-term growth runway remains huge — especially as global trade and automation continue to expand.

For beginners looking to add a high-quality growth stock to their portfolio, WiseTech is one to consider. Goldman Sachs rates it as a buy and has a $128.00 price target on its shares.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX share that could be a buy for this starter portfolio is Goodman Group.

This property giant specialises in high-tech logistics and industrial real estate — think distribution hubs for Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), facilities for data centre providers, and warehouses for major e-commerce platforms. As demand for e-commerce, cloud storage, and AI ramps up globally, so too does demand for Goodman's properties.

The company has a rock-solid balance sheet, long-term leases with high-quality tenants, and a smart management team that consistently delivers. This could make it a strong long term portfolio holding.

Citi thinks it would be a top pick for investors. It has put a buy rating and $40.00 price target on its shares.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Finally, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be a great way to round off this 3 stock ASX portfolio.

This ASX ETF gives investors instant access to the top 100 non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. This means companies such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon, and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META).

These companies are driving global innovation in AI, cloud computing, consumer tech, and more. As a result, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides investors with a simple way to invest in these themes, all through a single click of the button.

Foolish takeaway

When you're just starting out, it pays to stick with quality, clarity, and conviction. A beginner portfolio made up of WiseTech Global, Goodman Group, and the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives you a mix of local innovation, global exposure, and megatrend tailwinds.

Best of all? It's simple, scalable, and built for the long term.