New Technology

7 Important Considerations Before You Buy Smart Home Tech  

Zachary Kitchen

Smart homes seem like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. They have lights that respond to your voice commands and thermostats that auto-adjust. Not to mention robot vacuums that clean your floors while you relax.

It’s all very tempting. But before you rush out and buy the newest gadget, there are some crucial considerations. Here are 7 essential things to ask yourself before diving headfirst into new smart home tech.

1. Does it Solve a Real Problem?

Not all smart home devices are created equal. Some offer genuine solutions to everyday problems. Others might be more novelty than necessity. Think critically about your daily routine. Identify tasks that you could streamline with smart technology.

For instance, do you constantly forget to turn off the lights when you leave a room? Then, smart bulbs with motion sensors could be a game-changer. But a smart toaster might not be the most practical addition to your kitchen. Especially if your mornings are already a hectic rush.

2. Is It Compatible with Other Devices?

The world of smart home devices can be a bit like a high school cafeteria. Not all device brands play well together. Many smart devices rely on a central hub or app to function. So, ensure the gadget you choose is compatible with the ones you already have or plan to buy.

Mixing and matching brands can lead to a frustrating user experience. Devices may refuse to communicate or need several apps to manage. Researching compatibility beforehand will save you a lot of headaches.

PS: Help is on the way in the future. A new Matter standard aims to address cross-brand compatibility.

3. Is Your Wi-Fi Up to the Challenge?

Smart homes are like data-hungry beasts. They rely heavily on a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection to function properly. Is your internet slow, unreliable, or have limited bandwidth? If so, your smart home dreams might quickly turn into a frustrating nightmare.

Just a few of the potential problems you might face with a weak Wi-Fi connection are:

  • Smart lights flickering on and off
  • Thermostats refusing to adjust
  • Voice assistants lagging behind your commands

Before investing in smart devices, consider upgrading your Wi-Fi router or internet plan. This helps ensure it can handle the increased data traffic.

4. Privacy Concerns Deserve Attention

Smart home devices collect data on your habits and routines. From the times you turn on the lights to the temperature you prefer in your home. These gadgets are constantly gathering information. Some companies may use this data to personalize your experience. But others might sell it to third-party vendors (usually advertisers).

Before bringing a smart device into your home, take time to read the device’s privacy policy. What data does it collect? How is it used? Do you have any control over how your data is shared? Does the privacy policy raise red flags? Then, it might be best to look for a different device with stronger data protection practices.

5. Security Matters: Protect Your Smart Home

Unfortunately, the convenience of smart homes comes with an increased security risk. These devices connect to your Wi-Fi network. This means they can become vulnerable to hacking attempts. Hackers could potentially gain access to your home’s controls. As well as adjust settings or even steal sensitive data.

To mitigate these risks, choose devices with strong security features such as encryption and two-factor authentication. Additionally, keep your devices updated with the latest software patches. This is crucial to address any known security vulnerabilities. Consider creating a separate “guest” Wi-Fi network for your smart home devices. This isolates them from your personal computers and other data-rich devices. The isolation gives you an extra layer of security.

6. Future-Proofing Your Smart Home

Technology evolves at a rapid pace. What’s cutting-edge today might be obsolete tomorrow. Before investing in a smart home device, consider the manufacturer’s reputation. You should look for details on software updates and long-term device support. Will the company continue to provide security patches and updates in the years to come?

If a device lacks a history of consistent software updates, it might be wise to look elsewhere. This helps to ensure your smart home doesn’t become outdated quickly.

7. Start Small and Scale Up Gradually

Don’t get carried away and try to automate your entire home overnight. Smart home technology can be a significant investment. It’s wise to take things slow. Start with a few key devices that address specific needs or pain points in your daily routine.

For example, consider starting with smart lights or a smart thermostat. These help you experience the benefits of smart home technology but before diving into a full-blown home automation setup. This measured approach allows you to assess the usefulness of smart home devices. As well as identify any issues before committing to a larger investment.

Carefully consider these 7 essential questions before buying smart home devices. They’ll help ensure that your foray into the world of home automation is a success.

Need an Expert to Help with Smart Home Setup & Security?

Those “DIY” smart home setups are not always as easy (or secure) as they may sound. If you need help from a friendly technology expert, give us a call. We can help you craft a smart home that’s connected, secure, and truly helpful.

Contact us today to schedule a chat.

Zachary Kitchen

Get Your Free Cybersecurity Guide

Protect your business with expert tips. Fill out the form to download our comprehensive guide and enhance your cybersecurity.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By downloading you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

What business owners are saying about us...

Read testimonials from satisfied clients who trust Digital Crisis for their IT needs. Discover how we’ve helped businesses like yours.

Quote icon

When Our Server Crashed, I Expected Downtime For Days, They Had Us Back in Hours

As a small law firm, we needed reliable IT support that wouldn’t break the budget—but still delivered at the highest level. Digital Crisis gave us exactly that.
 
They helped us modernize our systems, move to the cloud, and streamline how we work. Now our team can securely access everything we need from anywhere—and we’ve never been more efficient.
 
When our server went down unexpectedly, they had us fully operational again within three hours. No panic. No delays. Just fast, professional support when we needed it most.
 
With Digital Crisis, we feel like we have a world-class IT department—without the overhead.
Scott Davenport
Managing Attorney, Davenport Law Firm
Quote icon

We Knew Something Had to Change

As a managing partner of our firm, I needed a technology partner who understood urgency—and our old IT company just didn’t get it. Every time we had an issue, we were forced to submit a ticket just to speak with someone. No one ever answered the phone. Everything felt like a battle, and we were stuck in a long-term contract with no flexibility.

 

When I called Digital Crisis, they picked up immediately. No ticket. No runaround. Just answers. Within minutes, they had already started helping us.

 

Looking back, I wish we had made the switch sooner. I didn’t need to be a tech expert—I just needed to make one good decision for my team. Now our systems are secure, we actually get support when we need it, and I don’t have to worry about IT holding us back.

 

If you’re tired of being ignored by your IT guy, do what I did. Take back control. Call Digital Crisis.

Rudy Culp
Managing Partner, Horrigan & Goehrs, LLP
Quote icon

I Couldn’t Afford IT Headaches When Starting My Firm

As the Managing Partner of a newly established law firm, I can confidently say that the seamlessness of our start-up is due in large part to the exceptional IT support provided by Zach and the team at Digital Crisis. From day one, they have been more than just a service provider—they've been true partners in our success.

Zach and his team have an incredible ability to anticipate our needs before we even voice them. Their proactive approach, deep expertise, and commitment to keeping our systems secure and efficient have given us the confidence to focus fully on building our practice.

Having reliable IT support is critical in the legal field, where security and uptime are non-negotiable. Thanks to Digital Crisis, we’ve had both—plus the peace of mind that comes from knowing we’re in capable hands. We couldn’t ask for a better tech partner.

Stacy Kelly
Mangaing Partner, Texas Probate Attorney, PLLC
Quote icon

They’re a Valuable Member of Our Team

Zach is great at explaining to us about our IT in plain-speak, rather than “geek-speak.” I genuinely feel like hiring Digital Crisis was the best decision I’ve made for my firm. If you want an IT expert who charges reasonable rates and is not just an IT guy, but a valuable member of your team, call Zach.
Keith Morris
Founder, Surplus Attorneys
Quote icon

My Firm Runs Like a Well-Oiled Machine

I’ve worked with Zach for over 15 years. Digital Crisis takes their time to understand my practice and doesn’t try to shove a cookie-cutter system down our throat. When Digital Crisis first came in, they took the time to understand our firm and helped streamline and modernize our processes.
Kelly Forester
Senior Partner, Matthews Forester Law Firm
Quote icon

My Firm’s Efficiency DOUBLED Overnight

I thought my firm was doing just fine with my previous IT setup- boy, was I wrong! Digital Crisis came in Updated Equipment and Technology. I wish I had used them ten years earlier when I first met Zach. You will be sold immediately by their knowledge, patience, and willingness to help.
Craig Ribbeck
Senior Partner, Ribbeck Law Firm
Quote icon

Digital Crisis Saves Us Thousands Every Year

We used to enter data quarterly that would easily take an average of two weeks each quarter to enter. Then, when Digital Crisis came in, they fully automated our process, taking minutes instead of weeks to process the same data, not only faster but more accurately, removing room for human error. The new system gets things done faster and saves us thousands every year in labor alone!
Sandy Hickey
Executive Assistant, PAS Online
Quote icon

We Make Money FASTER Because of Digital Crisis

In 2010, my business had an old DOS-based server from 1995 that ran our proprietary software, which crashed. If it weren’t for Zach, we’d have to start completely over! Not only was Digital Crisis able to restore all our data, but they were also able to migrate us to a modern system which allowed us to get paid faster and work remotely.
Sandra Van der Vorm
Owner, Vansteen Marine Supply
Quote icon

They Rescued My Practice

On a Friday, my practice had to be moved immediately without any notice. Digital Crisis not only managed to come out and get our IT up and running, but they had our phones and internet up and running by Monday morning, and we didn’t lose a single day of business!  I can’t recommend Zach and his team enough.
Marietta Cline, MD
Owner, Cline Pediatrics
Quote icon

I Never Lost a Day of Work During the Pandemic

Zach truly understands my firm’s needs and always provides valuable tips and tools to make my firm run more efficiently. For example, when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, I didn’t lose a single day of work since Digital Crisis had me set up on their cloud system, and I could remote in from anywhere.
Pamela Stewart
Owner, Law Office of Pamela Stewart

Protect Your Network Against Cyber Threats

Contact Digital Crisis for a network security consultation and ensure your business is safeguarded against cyber threats.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.