If you use a lot of photos on your Website or blog each one can be modified in a very easy way that will protect them from being “borrowed” by your competitors and extend your brand every time a visitor looks at them.  Here’s how it’s done…

Watermarking 1-2-3

Watermarking is the process of overlaying text on top of photo.  Typically the overlaid text is just barely visible yet identifiable so it performs the job of marking the photo without detracting from it.  Up until recently this was typically done with a program like Photoshop by people who knew how to use it (not many Realtors fit that description).    Now there is a much easier and quicker method I just discovered that anyone can use to watermark their images in just seconds.  It’s called WinWatermark Standard and you can download and use it for 30 days at no cost.  However, once you use it you will not hesitate to pay the very reasonable $29.95 to keep using it.

Watermarking Best Practices

Watermarking by definition is supposed to be subtle, so you don’t want to go crazy with it otherwise it will work against you.  Here are some best practice tips to help you get the most out of your watermarking endeavors:

• Watermark Text – consider using the URL of your Website as in the photo example above.  This marks your ownership of the photo and extends your online brand.
• Watermark Size and Position – the size needs to be large enough to be recognizable but not so much that it takes away from photo itself.  Same with positioning.  If you watermark your images to primarily protect them from being used by others, then consider a 45 degree upward angle orientation in the middle of the photo —this makes it much more difficult for anyone to remove it.  If that is not an issue then consider using a smaller one in the lower right side of the photo using normal orientation.  IMPORTANT: whichever style you use to watermark your images keep it consistent throughout your site.
• Color and Transparency – suggest you use white text with about a 22% transparency.  The amount of transparency you use for each image may need to be slightly less or more depending upon the image itself.  Remember, watermarking needs to be subtle, not stand out and shout.
• Keep It Simple – WinWatermark gives you many options to style your watermarks.  If you go overboard with styles your watermarks will be distracting at best and a turnoff at worst.

South Beach Condo King Kevin Tomlinson is a firm believer in watermarking and uses it very much to his advantage with all the custom condo images on his site.  Every GoArmyHomes site we build out has the neighborhood photos watermarked as well.

If you are putting a lot of effort into your Website you may as well protect your investment.  Watermarking lets you do this and extend your brand at the same time.  That makes it a powerful tool that should be in everyone’s digital toolbox.