Are you aware that as a small business owner, one of the biggest and most expensive issues facing you is loss prevention? Many small business owners make the mistake of thinking that problems like theft, vandalism, and embezzlement will not happen to them. Unfortunately, research suggests that small businesses suffer huge losses from these types of events every year. Here are four tips that will help small business owners who are considering investing in a security system.

1. Find a security company with a good track record: some security companies position themselves based on cost. And while cost is always of concern, it is more important to get your money's worth. Your insurance agency should be able to give you a reference for a good security firm to ensure you make the right choice.

2. Don't go it on your own : businesspeople often try to cut corners cost-wise by installing their own security system. Many times, they will use inexpensive webcams, or integrated solutions off the shelf, and are disappointed when they do not receive the video quality they were expecting. It's also true that self-security solutions can be very time and labor intensive. Don't do it yourself : you'll save a lot of time and effort by trusting a specialized security company to do the security for you -- it may cost a little more up front, but the results will speak for themselves.

3. Location is key: in loss prevention, it is important to ensure that every single location in your business is covered by security cameras. Some business owners might try to keep down costs by using a small number of security cameras. Instead, you should always remember that thieves will take advantage of this situation in order to rob you blind; if you only have one or two cameras, criminals will simply target all of your camera-free areas.

4. Monitor both employees and customers: it is important to remember that loss prevention must be aimed both inward and outward as both employees and customers can be potential sources of loss. If you are only aiming your security cameras at your merchandise then a bad seed among your employees could easily steal from you. Of course if you are only monitoring you employees than a single theft from the outside can take down your business.

We hope you've found these simple tips useful. As a small business owner, we know that your most important goal is protecting your bottom line. Remember, the key to strong loss prevention is using strong prevention.