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🚨 Feels outdated or clunky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.

One thing about me???


I hate, hate, hate (!) doing voiceovers on content.


Literally cringe the whole time I’m recording.
I listen back and think:


“Surely I don’t sound like that?!”
…but yes. That is, unfortunately, me 🤦‍♀️


I’ve put it off for ages.
Re-recorded voice notes a million times.
Overthought every word.


And this year I’ve decided… I’m just not doing that anymore.


Nothing worth doing is ever comfortable to begin with – so might as well just start 😌


Anywayyy.

Here’s a little vid of what I got up to co-working with Daniel Poll last week 👌


We went to Department, Spinningfields (used to be Foley’s) and it was a cool spot.


Got really busy throughout the day, but I actually loved the vibe in there.


Also…
My Hot honey halloumi bagel for lunch was delishhhh 🤍


If you’re cringing at the thought of trying something new – same.
But maybe let's just do it anywayyyy 🫶

Co-op

Working as part of Digital Technology and Data in the Governance, Assurance and Portfolio team

Delivery Assurance Manager

Associate Delivery Manager

Operations Officer - Development

Engineering Development Analyst

GRAYCE

Lead Project Analyst

Senior Project Analyst

Project Analyst

schuh

Trainee Manager

Stockroom management, staff training, service, merchandising and key holder

Retail Supervisor

Kids specialist including merchandising of product and training staff

Sales Assistant

New Sounds Magazine

Writer/Live interviewer

Consultant with experience in delivery management and operational development, all in the digital space. I focus on supporting teams to eliminate waste, communicate effectively and deliver value consistently. I also have experience mentoring colleagues and nurturing a collaborative environment.

Certified in APMG Foundations, APMG Practitioner, BCS Business Analysis Foundations and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

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