Before the proliferation of the Internet, the only way to secure the front door of your home was with an expensive home security system monitored—for a monthly fee—by a home security firm.

Today, however, you can protect your home using commonly available consumer smart home devices. These smart devices are more affordable than traditional home security systems and easier to install and use. Plus, you can monitor everything yourself from your smartphone.

Smart Video Doorbell

The most essential smart device to secure your home's front door—and arguably the easiest to install—is a smart video doorbell with a built-in camera. A smart doorbell not only functions as a regular doorbell, alerting you when someone presses its button, but it also lets you see who is at your front door before you open it.

There are two basic types of video doorbell installations available. Some models replace your existing doorbell, connecting to the same wires used by your current doorbell.

This type of doorbell gets its power from your existing doorbell wiring and when someone pushes the button your existing doorbell rings. The only drawback to this type of smart doorbell is that you need a working doorbell there to replace—plus it requires dealing with electrical wiring.

Other models are battery-operated. There are no wires to connect, so you're not limited as to where to place the unit. This type of video doorbell needs to be periodically recharged, which you typically do via USB. Since you can install a battery-operated smart doorbell virtually anywhere, they're great for apartments and condos. You can also take this type of doorbell with you when you move.

Both types of smart doorbells can be paired with a wireless chime device that sounds when the button is pushed. You can also connect most smart doorbells to a smart speaker via Wi-Fi, so virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant can tell you when someone's at your front door.

You can also get alerts on the doorbell's mobile phone app when the doorbell is activated. This lets you see who's at the front door on your phone's screen, thanks to the doorbell's built-in camera. You can also view the camera's output from any smart display, such as the Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub.

The nice thing about this is that you can, if you want, talk back to whoever's at your door—even if you're not at home. You can make it sound like you're answering the door when you're actually at work or grocery shopping. Just tell the delivery guy to leave the package at the door and they'll never know you weren't actually there.

Most smart doorbells also come with a motion sensor that activates when someone approaches your front door but doesn't ring the doorbell.

This way you can be alerted when you get a package delivered or if someone is lurking outside your home. Just open the alert on the doorbell's phone app, and you can see what's happening outside—without having to open your front door.

Make sure to take a look at the best smart doorbells for your home.

Smart Door Lock

The next essential smart device to secure your home's front door is a smart door lock. A smart lock replaces your existing door lock and, like a smart doorbell, connects to your home network via Wi-Fi. You can then operate the smart lock with your Amazon Echo or Google Nest smart speaker or the lock's smartphone app.

Operating the smart lock with your smartphone lets you enter your home without using physical keys. Just walk up to the front door and the lock senses your presence, via Bluetooth, and automatically unlocks.

You can also use the lock's phone app to lock or unlock the door from wherever you are in your home—and when you're away from home. Check the camera in your smart doorbell app to find out who's at your door and, if it's someone you want to let in, use the door lock's app to automatically unlock the door for them.

A smart door lock is also good if you're in the habit of accidentally leaving your front door unlocked. You can check the lock status from wherever you are using the lock's phone app—and lock it if you forgot to.

Here are some important things to consider when buying a smart door lock.

Smart Security Lights

Another way to secure your home's front door—and your home's complete perimeter—is with one or more smart security lights. Traditional security lights operate either manually or via a motion sensor.

Most smart security lights include motion sensors to trigger the light, but also connect to your other smart devices and accompanying smartphone apps so that you can control them remotely or via voice command. Most smart security lights will also send alerts to your phone when triggered.

Some smart security lights also come with built-in cameras. This provides additional security as the camera is activated whenever the light's motion sensor is triggered. You can view video from the camera on the device's smartphone app.

Smart Security Cameras

If you just want a security camera without a floodlight, check out the current crop of smart security cameras. A smart security camera is activated via a motion sensor and sends video (and often sound) to the camera's smartphone app or to any smart display. You can also opt to activate the camera manually at any time, so you can check what's happening outside your front door.

Know that most manufacturers make both indoor and outdoor security cameras. You obviously want an outdoor camera to use outside your home. An outdoor security camera is a little more rugged than an indoor one and can be either wired or battery operated. Some models are even solar-powered.

For best security, mount an array of cameras around the entire perimeter of your house—front door, garage, backyard, and on all corners. This lets you see what's happening all around your home, with no blind spots.

Many manufacturers sell multi-camera packs just for this purpose. You can link all the cameras to the same camera app on your phone and switch between camera views.

Here are some of best smart floodlight cameras for your home.

Securing Your Front Door—The Smart Way

While you can still protect your home via a traditional home security system, smart devices such as smart doorbells, door locks, security lights, and security cameras let you secure your home's front door without breaking the bank.

Each device connects to an app on your smartphone, so you can see who's at your front door and lock or unlock your door without leaving the comfort of your couch.

You can even control your front door when you're away from home, thanks to today's affordable and easy-to-install smart devices.