Know what you want to see. Knowing exactly what you want to see in the monitor and on recordings – both the scene and the quality – is the single best way you can prepare for a purchase.

Avoid dummy cameras. While they may deter some problems, they also can create a legal liability by creating an expectation of safety when none exists

Put up signs. Highly visible signage that lets customers and employees know that they are being filmed can greatly increase the deterrent effect.

Do not record audio. Most CCTV systems do not include audio monitoring for the simple reason that it is generally illegal. People in public places can be videotaped without their consent, but their voices can not.

Buy for the right reasons. Using a high-tech solution to solve a low-tech problem can result in wasted money and effort. If you have vandalism problems in a parking lot, adding lights can be a far cheaper and more effective solution than installing cameras.