There’s no question that the internet of things (IoT) has revolutionized the way people manage their homes.

Whether you’ve already invested in smart home devices or are considering them as your next tech purchase.

1. Compatibility is a big issue.

There are many companies competing in the smart home market. One result of this is that not all devices are compatible. If you want to create an entire smart home, it’s best to focus on one brand. At least, always check for compatibility before you buy anything new.

2. A centralized platform is the way to go.

If you plan to go the home automation way, understand that it’s important to have a centralized platform. With a centralized platform, you get the ability to truly leverage the benefits of your smart home system.

3. Systems can go offline — then what?

Find out what happens to your smart devices in case of an internet outage. Do the smart devices turn dumb and everything stops working? Or is there a backup plan for offline mode?

4. You’re giving a lot of data away.

Every time someone uses smart home devices, you’re giving data to these services and they have more information about your consumer data. This creates a privacy issue — before you buy anything, know that it is going to go beyond your consumption of it.

5. These devices can present a security threat.

While smart home devices add another layer of convenience, it has also provided another security threat. Even if it may seem like the device does not contain any meaningful data, it can still be used as an access point to your WiFi. Before building your smart home, assess the security quality of each device.

6. They aren’t perfect, yet.

Many smart devices are still learning and take time to work properly. There are also bugs in them just like other software so don’t assume everything will always go smoothly with them.