Helping Businesses Stand Out Online with Branding, Web Design & SEO 🔥

Your website should be working for you. If your site…

🚨 Doesn’t reflect your brand
🚨 Feels outdated or clunky
🚨 Struggles to convert visitors into customers
🚨 Isn’t SEO-friendly or mobile-optimised

Then you’re leaving money on the table.

At MadeByShape, we design, build, and optimise websites that:

✅ Elevate your brand
✅ Resonate with your audience
✅ Are fast, functional, and easy to use
✅ Help you grow your business

Don’t just take our word for it 👇

💬 "Absolutely love my new website. The team at MadeByShape smashed it." – Sacha Lord
💬 "Thanks to the team at MadeByShape for bringing my vision to life!" – Gary Neville

Drop me a message if you fancy a chat 📩

Kerry Hounslea

Don’t be sidelining your website for social media 🙅‍♀️



Yes, platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are huge for branding in 2026.



But here’s why your website still deserves a main character role 👇



1. (First of all) you actually own your website.

Your domain. Your data. Your rules. Whereas with social media, you’re renting space. 



2. Platforms can change (or vanish).

Banned accounts. Algorithm shifts. Feature removals. One update and your reach tanks.



3. Your website = total creative freedom.

Design every element. Control every click. No template telling you what size your image has to be.



4. Bespoke user journeys

Guide people exactly where you want them to go – not just hope they click your bio link.



5. No distractions.
On your site, it’s all about you. No ads. No endless scroll. No competing content pulling focus. I’m guilty of watching endless reels … I rarely ever click on a link to find out anything more about brands. 



6. SEO > social guesswork.

Your site can work 24/7 behind the scenes – bringing in traffic long after you’ve logged off.



7. Trust factor.

A strong website builds credibility. It says: “I’m serious about what I do.”



8. Social is rented hype.

It’s fast, fun, and loud – but it fades. Your website is the long game.



9. Data, and lotssss of it. 

You get better insights on your own site – and you actually own them.



10. It’s not either/or – it’s both.

Social builds awareness. Your website seals the deal. Work them in harmony ✌️




Hey I’m Kerry and I work for MadeByShape - we specialise in web design, branding and SEO so give me a shout if I can do anything to help ya 🥰

We design standout websites & brands – so you don’t have to | Socials Manager @MadeByShape ✌️

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We all know by now that showing personality and being yourself on LinkedIn actually works right? 


Can we all agree?


No one’s sitting there thinking:
“Oooh I really loved how corporate that post was.” 🙄


Before I started building my personal brand, my posts were basically:
“I’m thrilled to announce I’ve started a new job at X company…”


I don’t think I’ve ever said the word “thrilled” in a sentence before 😂
But that was the norm back then.


We used to reduce ourselves to ‘fit’ in. 



One thing I’ll say though is: 

👉 Take what we’ve learnt from this platform and apply it everywhere.


Your website doesn’t need to be stiff, stale, or full of fluff.
It doesn’t need to “sound corporate” to be taken seriously.


I’ve seen so many websites miss the mark, – especially in areas that should feel the most personal:

✨ Meet the team pages
✨ About sections
✨ Brand tone of voice
✨ Microcopy (yes, even your 404/error messages)


Show who you are.
Lift the curtain.
Make people feel something when they land on your site.


It’s there to connect. To tell your story. To show people who you really are.


Please, I’m begging –
Let’s bring some personality into your websites too 🫶


Just take look at ours – MadeByShape. Full of personality! 




Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

Allow me to introduce myself... all over again 🤍



I’m Kerry 👋


✨ 25
✨ Travel addict
✨ Planner of all the fun things – gigs, festivals, camping trips, spa days, you name it


I’ve always been like this.

Never been big on blowing my wages on clothes or designer stuff – I’d rather spend it making memories.

Last year: 

✈️ Fuerteventura
🍻 Poland (for a wedding)
🌿 Glastonbury 
🍜 Thailand
🍀 Dublin with work
🥰 Belfast with the girls


I also got to see Oasis (unreal!!), Djo (aka Steve Harrington … IYKYK), Olivia Dean, Good Neighbours, The 1975... and loads more at Glasto. It was my first time going to Glastonbury (I KNOW 🙈) but if you haven’t been before, you must!


I’ve got a crazy Cocker Spaniel called Toffee (named after Everton because we’re a family of blues) 💙


I’m a St. Patrick’s Day baby and come from an Irish family so we manage to kill two birds with one stone and celebrate all in one day 🍀. 


And … I work for a Web Design and Branding agency called MadeByShape. I’ve worked here for just over 2 years now and LOVE it. Before this, I worked as a pub manager – where I had 0 social life or time off 🙃 I can pour a decent pint though … 


More than anything – I just love spending time with my family and mates.
They’re always the priority, no matter how busy life gets.



Anywaysssss that’s me. Hello. I’ve had a lot of new connections recently so thought I’d reintroduce myself properly. 


Now tell me about you 👇

You wouldn’t build your entire brand on a platform you don’t own... would you?



Because that’s exactly what I’ve seen a lot of businesses doing.


All-in on socials.
Little effort on their website.


And I get it – social media has proved to be great for brands,
But it’s not where true trust is built.


Your dream client finds you on Instagram...

Then what?
They want to properly check you out.


But if they:
🤷‍♀️ Don’t have an account
🤦‍♀️ Can’t be bothered logging in on desktop
👀 Just want the info – not a highlight reel and 17 links


They're going to your website.


So if it’s half-baked (or doesn’t exist at all)...
You’re giving people nowhere to land.


No credibility. No conversion. No chance.


Meanwhile – your website is:
✨ 100% yours
✨ Not tied to trends or algorithms
✨ Built to actually convert


We’re treating social like the storefront
And websites like the stockroom.


It should be the other way round.


Put the same care into your website as you do your socials. 
Trust me on that one! ☝️




Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I work for MadeByShape and share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

I’m not a fan of the phrase ‘new year, new me’ – but I get it.


We all want a bit of a reset in January.

New goals. New habits we swear we’ll stick to this time 😅

I set resolutions last year and... didn’t tick all of them off. 

It happens, but they don’t disappear.

They just get carried over into the next year…
along with a few new ones too.

The list keeps growing.


So if either of these are on yours:

👉 A new website
👉 A full rebrand

...then take this as your sign to actually follow through.


Doing the work now means:

✔️ No more cringing when someone asks for your website
✔️ No more DIY logo from 2019 haunting your socials
✔️ No more explaining what you really do because your brand isn’t doing it justice


Instead, you get to: 

✔️ Show up with confidence
✔️ Charge your worth
✔️ Attract the right people and stop blending in for once


Imagine getting to December and thinking:

Yesss – I actually did it. And now it’s one less thing to stress about.


If you're still showing up as the old version of yourself or your business…it’s probably the right time to change that. 


I work for a web design and branding agency – MadeByShape - always here if you want a chat. 




Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

2pm Friday finishes might just be the best perk our founders could’ve given us.




On paper, it’s only a couple of hours shaved off the week.


But in reality, it changes how I feel … every Friday.


Friday energy is real.
If you know, you know.


Your brain’s already at the pub (if you’re inclined that way 😂)
Everyone’s half checking out by 3pm anyway 😅


So instead of pretending we’re all still “going strong” at 4:45pm, we just... wrap it up at 2.


As long as the work’s done – we’re out.


I can make proper Friday plans (without praying I’ll get out on time)
I can actually ease into my weekend


Those Friday mornings are on fire productivity-wise.
Everyone’s focused. Cracking on.
No dragging our feet, just straight in.


We feel trusted and respected so it makes us give our best back. 


And I wanted to do a bit of research on this because I know for a LOT of people, Friday is one of their least productive days. 


Turns out the stats back it up:

👉 62% of people feel less motivated on Fridays – weekend brain kicks in

👉 Productivity drops off hard after 3pm

👉 Fridays are already the day most people clock off early

👉 But it’s also the happiest day of the week (no shock there)


So fair play to MadeByShape, we appreciate it!


Let people enjoy their Friday.
Give them the choice.
Get better results in return.


This weekend’s agenda:

👉 Friday: Girly night in 🍕🍿

👉 Saturday: Trafford Centre - not my idea of a perfect Saturday, but I've got things to return 🫠

👉 Sunday: Dovestone Reservoir walk with the girls (AM) / re-decorating bedroom / then prepping for the week ahead



Just a nice chilled weekend ✌️ 
What’s your plans?

Right, I’ve introduced me – now let me tell you a bit about MadeByShape 🖤



We’re a Web Design + Branding agency based in Manchester.


👉 2 Co-Founders
👉 4 Web Developers
👉 2 Brand Designers
👉 2 Content Writers
👉 1 Accounts & Finance


Small team, but we bring a lot to the table. 


Our culture is (I’d say) unlike anyone else’s. Let’s take Christmas, for example …

 
I had mates asking:
“What days you working over Christmas?”

Me: “I’m not.”
Them: 😮

“You booked it off then?”
Me: “Didn’t have to.”
Them: 😵‍💫


And when I said we went to Dublin for the night for our Christmas do, let’s just say... jaws were dropped.

I’m not saying any of this to brag at all – but MadeByShape has really built something really special here. And I’m proud to be part of it.


It’s not just about time off or the fun socials.

It’s the everyday stuff:

🤍 Being trusted to get on with your work – no micro-managing
🤍 Flexible when life outside work happens (because it does)
🤍 Proper support when you need it – whether that’s a work or personal matter
🤍 A team that genuinely backs each other



Anyway – let’s get into what we actually do 👇

✨ Branding
We create brands you’re proud of – not just a logo.
From your website to your tote bags, it all needs to feel like you.
Consistent visuals, clear messaging, proper impact.


✨ Web Design
UX, UI, wireframes, research – all the good stuff.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a startup or scaling up, we design websites that actually work and look class. Oh – and we’re Craft CMS onlyyyy (sorry not sorry 😌).


✨ SEO
If your website’s meant to bring in business, SEO is a must.
We don’t do copy-paste strategies. That just doesn’t work. 
We look at your goals and build campaigns that get results – whether that’s nationwide rankings or local leads.



In short 👇
We’re nice, we’re sound, and we’re bloody good at what we do 🤝


Now we’re back – fully reset and ready to smash 2026. Take a look at some pics from our Christmas do in Dublin. 




Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

A friend of mine works a 9–5, but she’s still at her laptop most nights 'til 8pm.



That’s 3 hours she could be:
✨ Cooking her tea
✨ Going for a walk
✨ Chilling on the couch
✨ Catching up with friends


Instead – she’s stuck trying to hit unrealistic expectations for a job that technically “finished” 3 hours ago.


And it got me thinking…
It’s not the hours that give the 9–5 a bad name 
It’s how that time’s being used.


One person doing the job of five because budgets are tight, teams are stretched, and “just make it work” is the default.


But that shouldn’t fall on the rest of the team to absorb.


If someone leaves and the whole place falls apart – that’s a business problem. Not a burden you should make the team carry.


And I’ve seen it first-hand.
I’ve lived it in previous roles.
And it has the opposite effect of what managers think.


😅 You don’t get loyalty.
😌 You get burnout.


At MadeByShape, when the day ends at 4 pm – that's it.


No guilt. No “just a quick one” Slack messages. No raised eyebrows for logging off on time.


And even during work hours, there’s breathing space. Trust. Respect.


And trust me, your team respects you a whole lot more when you actually value their time too. 


It’s just about being decent.


Your team will always be there for you, yes, but don’t forget they also have to live their own lives. 🤍


Take it from me – I’ve been at Shape for over 2 years, and I’ve never felt more valued.



Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

If you’re thinking of refreshing your website or investing in web design in 2026 – this is why I think you absolutely should 👇





1. Your website is your first impression.

It’s where people go first – before calling, enquiring, or buying.




2. User habits have changed (again).

Attention spans are shorter. Expectations are higher. Bad UX? People bounce.




3. Mobile-friendly isn’t optional.

If your site’s clunky on a phone – you’re losing leads. Simple as that.




4. Google’s judging you.

A slow, outdated site = SEO disaster. It affects your rankings and your credibility.




5. Trust starts online.

If your website looks 10 years old, people assume your service is too.




6. You need to show what you do – fast.

People skim. If your messaging and design don’t hit instantly, they’re off.




7. Great design = higher conversions.

This goes beyond just how it looks – it’s about using design to help guide users into take action easily. 




8. Your competitors are levelling up.

If they look class and you don’t, guess who gets the click?




9. Your brand deserves better.

That DIY website from 2018? Nah. You’ve outgrown it.




10. It’s an investment, not a cost.

This is a big one. A strong website pays you back in leads, trust, and time saved explaining yourself. 



Let your website do the heavy lifting in 2026. You’ll thank us later 🫶 




I’m Kerry 👋 I work for a web design and branding agency called MadeByShape. DM’s are always open 💬

“We’re not a creative business, so we probably don’t need anything fancy…”



If I had a quid for every time we heard that 👀


Somewhere along the way, certain industries have been told a lie. 
That they have to “play it safe” online.
– Minimal design.
– Muted colours.
– Zero personality.


Because god forbid a scaffolding company has a bit of flair 🤷‍♀️


Here’s the truth:
✨ Every business deserves a brand that feels like them
✨ Every website deserves to stand out – not blend in
✨ And creativity is not reserved for ‘creative’ industries


We’ve built sites for:
– Skip hire companies
– Accountants
– Food manufacturers
– Engineers
– Property
– And yeah, loads of creative brands too


But what we’ve found is that 👇

The results are always better when we lean into what makes that business unique. 


👉 MadeByShape is for every industry.

And we’ll make sure you show up online with confidence – no matter what you do.



📸 That’s us – the team behind Shape – living our best lives at the Christmas do in Dublin 👇






Hey I’m Kerry 👋 I share tips on web design, branding + finding a bit of balance in your 9-5. 👉 Hit follow if you’re into that kinda thing.

I'm Jordan, Founder of co&co.

I love Guinness.
I love marketing.
I love making sh*t happen.

I am the least fluffy marketing person you will ever meet, so you can keep your blue sky thinking, co&co was born in Manchester where great things happen in the rain. 

You will find me on here chattin' about:

- Strategy & marketing campaigns 
- Personal branding & traditional branding 
- The importance of offline community building
- How to build & use a personal profile on LinkedIn 
- How wellness & fitness has helped me get here today

... and some other stuff. 

As a team, we are ROI obsessed, with a no fluff, no bull approach to marketing that we have become famous for, specialising in 3 main areas:

- Strategy: How you gonna' make  the till ring?
- Branding: How are you gonna' stand out?
- Activations: How are you gonna' build connections?

Our approach: If you aren't measuring, you aren't marketing. You're gambling.

We work with business that don't have time, knowledge or resources to create and execute all, or part of their marketing strategy. We track everything back to an ROI, so if it don't make dollar, it don't make sense. From long-term support, to one-off projects, we've got you.

We build around your commercial objectives. No matter how big or small the project, we create a full plan explaining what we will do, how we will do it, and how we will report on, and measure success. You are never on your own, with a dedicated team member working alongside you every step of the way.

Fancy it?

Let's chat, it won't cost you a penny.... jordan@wearecoandco.com

Jordan Stachini

If I was starting out in my career in 2026, here’s 5 things I would do…

I have been very vocal on here about the obligation I think people like me, who have been in the game for a long time, have to the next generation. 

At co&co we are committed to empowering the next generation, which is why we bang the drum for apprentices pretty much all the time. 

So, if this is your year... grab a pen. You're gonna' want to remember these...
-
1️⃣ 
Work on being able to translate between departments. 
This is a hugely underrated skill and you’ll be more valuable than someone who just smashes their own area but can’t communicate outside of it.

2️⃣ 
Learn how to use excel. 
I’m baffled that they don’t teach this in schools anymore. I literally use it everyday… even if you work in the creative industries, you’re going to have to present info to people who don’t. Trust me.

3️⃣ 
Aim to put up to 10% of your pay away and don’t touch it. 
I’m not ignorant to the financial climate at the moment but the version of you in 10 years will thank you for forgoing that impulsive asos order or night out.

4️⃣ 
Network your arse off. 
People that I met over 10 years ago have become some of the best mentors, colleagues, clients and friends. You are always building your network, and the key to it? Don't go into every interaction thinking, 'what can you do for me'. It will become blatantly obvious over time where the alignment is. 

5️⃣ 
Learn the commercials of the business and the industry you're in.
Whatever role you end up doing, it won't exist in a vacuum. Your contribution will have a commercial output. Understand what it is, how it fits into the wider company and the industry you are in. Ignorance is not bliss - and understanding how the business actually works will help you do your job better and make you a more valuable and dynamic member of the team 

And a final bit of advice? 

Never stop asking questions. Ever. 

Anything anyone would add? 

P.S. We call this pic 'The boss production line' ... Kaysha Davies in the background there ready to come for my job 🤣

💥The ROI obsessed, Guinness loving, least fluffy marketer ever | Founder:co&co💥

Looking to hire a Social Media Manager in 2026? Mega. 
Wanna' save £6,000 a year and have 3 people working on your socials? 

Thought so... Let me explain...

The average salary for a Social Media Manager in Manchester right now is between £28,000 and £45,000

So let's split the difference and call it £36,5000 for a middle weight manager. 

Add in national insurance, benefits, pensions, subscriptions, equipment... and all the rest that goes with employing someone, and you're looking at a cost closer to £40,000 a year. 

Now what if you could have a team of people. 
No national insurance cost.
No subscription costs.
No equipment costs.
No pension costs.
No holiday requests.
No down time.

... And save minimum £6,000 a year? 

That's what you could get when you have co&co manage your social media accounts. 

- Team of 3 people 
- Full management 
- Full reporting 
- Great results 

So, if social media is a role you are looking to recruit for this year... then let this be food for thought. 

Drop me a message and let's chat 
📩 jordan@wearecoandco.com

I bang on about co&co being mega all the time...
But I own it, and I work in marketing... so don't take my word for it.
Instead, hear what a handful of our clients have to say about working with us.
-
Watch to the end for what Ged McPartlin really thinks about us 👀

Everyone ready for the… ‘10 things I learnt about direct sales from Brooklyn Beckham’ posts?

I talk a lot about 'the team' at co&co
Now let me introduce them...

If you aren't following us yet across socials then what are you doing?
2026 is the year of documenting co&co.

- What we do
- Who we are
- How we work

So go on, give us a follow. Dares ya.

Meet our co&co fam.

The people who run this gaff and the least fluffy marketers you’ll ever meet.

Powered by Kev’s brews (and maybe the odd Guinness), we’re class tbf. 

Get used to our faces, you’ll be seeing a lot more of us on here. 😏

Don’t be shy - hello@wearecoandco.com

Jordan Stachini 
Sophie Kimmance  
Kaysha Davies 
Sophie Cherrington
Libby Stevenson

Last week I saw a post by Ben Francis on Instagram that said...
'Your story is your brand's unfair advantage' 
And as ever, he is bang on. 

Yes, my obsession with him and Gymshark has well and truly come into 2026 with me. 

When founders start out they make one of two mistakes
...and I was also guilty of one of them for a long time

1️⃣ They become a walking CV and go all in on selling their services and skills, but leave out any of the human connection and personality that actually builds rapport. 

Or...

2️⃣ They 'hide' behind a company name. Thinking that the illusion of a bigger business operation and a team is more trustworthy than a solo business owner.

... I made the second mistake for two years. 

The reality is, you aren't the only person who offers what you do. 
You aren't that special. 

But you are the only person that is you.
You are the only person with your values.
You are the only person with your approach.
You are the only person with your personality. 
That is what people connect with. 

So in the words of wise old Ben...
"Share the lessons. Share the setbacks. Share the why."

This is one of the biggest obstacles we hear from founders and business owners who come to us looking to create a personal brand. 

In 2026, people are seeking out connection more than anything else. 
Be there for them to connect with. 

Been thinking 2026 is your year for launching your unfair advantage? 

Then let's chat.
📩 jordan@wearecoandco.com

You've heard of UGC.
Now get ready for EGC.

AKA... Employee generated content. 

Remember a few years ago marketing people started bangin' on about UGC? Promising brands it would help them to...

- Give their faceless business a more human feel
- Create deeper connections with their audience
- Build trust and rapport on an individual level 

Well, it worked. Brands lapped it up. 

The age of the 'content creator' was born. 
Consumers started to trust, align with and buy from brands based on the 'objective' feedback of another human that they connected with. 

...And now businesses are getting onto it as well, empowering their teams to document their experience of working in the business. 

This 'unfiltered' take on life inside the business and brand is seen as way more trustworthy, authentic ... and truthful, than the carefully curated and perfectly presented content being put out by the business itself. 

- It's coming from real person 
- It's coming from people at all levels of seniority 
- It's unpolished, low-fi and fun 
- It's mega for recruitment 

And... it gives a better ROI than other activity where big budgets have been spent on production. 

It has a higher chance of going viral because it feels real and relatable. 

The brands winning in 2026 are the ones who embrace the humans.

Duolingo, Monzo Bank, Gymshark are already winning when it comes to this strategy... and they aren't exactly doing bad for themselves are they? 

If you're looking for help in empowering your teams to maximise their own platforms and content in 2026, give us a shout. 

📩  jordan@wearecoandco.com

We are heading for a full circle moment...
In a digital first world, people are actively seeking out authenticity, human interaction and real life connection.

📱 2025 saw a 16% decline in the UK users of dating apps.
And before anyone says 'well they must be working then', they aren't. There are more single person households in the UK than ever. 

🎓 University students are refusing to 'peer review' essays that may have been written by ChatGPT. Instead asking for hand-written essays instead to ensure a human is behind it.

For brands, this shift is going to be really important to recognise and adapt to. 

The focus on building 'online communities' that are far reaching and allow everyone to be part of it, will still have a place...

But your customers are going to come looking for you offline too. 

They are going to want to meet you.
They are going to want to meet their community.
They are going to want an experience outside of a device.

And the kicker? 
You're online content will be all the better for having an offline presence. 

In the last year, we have been working with a brand in the property sector that has taken an experience first approach to their offering. 

This has involved over 20 offline activations, with 136 more planned for 2026. 

Every offline interaction has been documented and shared online... the result? 

- The highest engagement on posts about the offline activations
- Increase in followers and interactions from the online community 
- More attendees and sold out events each and every time 

Offline and online are not separate worlds.
They rely heavily on each other.

But in 2026, and going forward, you are going to need to invest in both.

Want to engage with more of your customers offline in 2026? Give us a shout.
📩 jordan@wearecoandco.com

Kaysha Davies got me the hot seat to kick the year off, and give everyone an insight into the world of co&co. 

Grab a brew, give it a watch.

And if you like what you see, why not drop me an email? 

📩 jordan@wearecoandco.com

2025 was a mega year for co&co ...and 2026 is looking class too. 
Here is just a flavour of what we got up to last year 🖤 
-
Like what you see? 
Let's chat jordan@wearecoandco.com

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