The ordinary person can do just about anything these days and that's without the help of paid professionals it’s called do-it-yourself.  Some of the DIY endeavors include wedding invitations, legal documents, home improvement projects, and auto repairs.  Now do-it-yourself security systems are becoming increasingly more popular and that's sending the on-line Home Security business booming.  So much so that the home security on-line market is now competing with some of the biggest installers on the market.

          Here's the proof.  MultiMedia Intelligence released a report saying that the video surveillance market will see tremendous growth over the next several years.  The report states that the market is expected to reach $1 billion dollars by 2012.  Some of the reasons for this include an increase in availability of camera kits in retail stores and on-line, the new emergence of consumer level IP (internet protocol) surveillance equipment, and declining technology costs.

          Who is benefiting?  One on-line store that is reaping the benefits is HomeSecurityStore.com.  The on-line business was established in 1995.  Operations Manager Freddie Amaral says in 1995 they were lucky to make $20,000, but now just last year they made $15 million.  “Back then the company had four family members who started up home security stores at a local level, while we started up an internet business.  We were the only company to survive.” 

          There are a couple

of reasons for the survival and for the monetary growth of HomeSecurityStore.com.  First, the do-it-yourself mentality. More people are finding out that home security products are getting easier to install and that makes it easier for consumers to install.  When you go with a professional installer you usually are forced to purchase a complete set.  If you install a system yourself you can pick which features you want and decide to upgrade later.  And if you do-it-yourself you are not alone, there are kits to help, on-line help, and tech support via the telephone.  Finally, do-it-yourself costs less than paying an outside professional service company like Brinks of ADT.

          The second reason for the success of on-line business is the advent of wireless.  The wireless alarm system has grown making it easier for not only do-it-yourselfers to install but professional installers as well.  The wireless alarm systems are affordable, durable, and reliable.  Plus, there are no wires to make installation complex and often confusing. 

          It's not easy to succeed!  Amaral says that the average business owner that wants to compete on-line usually doesn't realize what it takes to compete.  “They will pay $100. For a website and expect there to be a presence on-line” HomeSecurityStore.com pays around $80,000 a month in advertising to have a presence.  So far, it's working great for them. 

          The final reason for the growth of Home Security Store.com and DIY may be the most important one, and that's the growth of the internet.  In 1995 when HomeSecurityStore.com started their website there were 15 million users worldwide.  Today there are just fewer than one and a half billion users.