With Taryn Schroder, Made With Studio
Sooo, you’ve been putting yourself out there!
Showing up at networking events, getting on podcasts, maybe even speaking on stages. And it’s working: people are finding you and want to learn more about what you do.
Which is great. Truly.
But here’s the question most people don’t stop to ask:
What happens after someone gets curious about your business?
Because in most cases, the very next thing they do is click over to your website.
And that moment (the few seconds where they’re forming a first impression) matters way more than most people realize.
In this article, we’re breaking down what happens when your visibility outpaces your branding and website, and how to close that gap without doing more marketing.
Meet the Woman Supporting Female Leaders with Brands that Build Visibility, Taryn Schroder
Taryn Schroder is the founder and creative director of Made With Studio. With a foundation in both agency and in-house design roles, combined with a formal education in graphic design and an MBA in marketing, she brings the expertise of a seasoned creative and the insight of a business strategist.
She’s known for helping clients translate everything they’ve built into a brand and website that feel aligned, cohesive, and elevated. She shines in taking everything swirling in your head and articulating it back to you with a design that feels clear, put together, and true to you.
You’re Showing Up, But Is Your Business Ready to Be Seen?
Before we go any further, I want you to be honest with yourself for a second.
When someone clicks over to your website…
- Do you feel like it actually represents you and the level you’re operating at now? Or does it feel a little outdated, or like something you put together “for now” and never circled back to?
- Do you feel like your website does your work justice?
- Do you feel confident sending people there after a podcast, a referral, or an event? Or do you secretly wish they won’t spend too much time on it?
- Do you feel like your brand positions you as the expert you are? Or does it still reflect an earlier version of your business that you’ve outgrown?
- Do you trust that your website makes it obvious who you’re for, what you do, and how to work with you?
Want to know how your website is actually coming across to potential clients? Get your free Website Scorecard for an honest first impression audit and specific feedback!
And this leads me to the next paragraph.
The Missing Piece Between Being Seen and Being Chosen
Most people are doing the visibility part
But when their branding and website haven’t caught up to their growth, it creates friction.
And that friction shows up as:
- people going quiet after they say they’ll “check out your site”
- fewer inquiries than you expected from high-visibility moments
- a constant feeling of needing to explain or justify your pricing
- wondering why your business looks smaller online than it actually is
Here’s a real-life example of what I mean.
A friend asked me recently if I knew a good esthetician. She already had a referral from a coworker, so there was some trust there. The next thing she did was check out the esthetician’s website.
And almost immediately, that trust wavered.
She said, “I know this sounds dramatic, but it’s my face… and her website just looked cheap.”
I was curious, so I looked at the site myself when I got home. And honestly, it wasn’t bad. The esthetician was clearly licensed and experienced, and the testimonials were good.
But it was generic.
Stock photos that were obviously stock photos. The same colors you see on a lot of esthetician sites. Nothing that really justified the premium price or told me why someone should choose her over any other provider.
What’s stuck with me is that, even with the referral, even with a little bit of trust pre-baked in, my friend still moved on and kept looking.
Her website didn’t clearly communicate professionalism, experience, or trust. And in that moment, that was enough for a warm lead to close the tab and keep looking!
That’s how a lot of decisions get made today.
What Happens When Someone Lands on Your Website
Here’s the honest truth: when someone lands on your site, a few things happen almost immediately, and usually in this order:
- They look at your headline to see if you solve the problem they’re dealing with
- They glance at your imagery to get a feel for your business and your professionalism
- They subconsciously ask themselves, “Is this for me?”
- They decide, very quickly, whether to stay or leave
And all of this happens in seconds.
If your copy isn’t immediately clear, or if the visuals don’t match the quality of what you offer, or if the site takes too long to load, they’re probably moving on. Not because they want to, but because our brains are wired to make quick decisions and conserve energy.
If you’re ready to build a brand and website that supports your visibility efforts, the All-In Rebrand is a 6-week brand and website transformation designed to set you up to show up as the established, credible business owner you already are.
>> Book your All-In Rebrand Here
The Role Your Visuals Play in Building Trust
Did you know that 94% of first impressions are design-related?
Visuals that feel chaotic can make visitors believe that there will be friction in working with a service provider, or that they’re not as capable to handle the service needed.
Consistency is also important for brand recognition and trust. Using a consistent design across your logo, website, proposals, webinar presentations, social content, and client materials builds trust and shows business maturity.
Another real-life example:
I once wanted to hire someone I’d met before. I honestly couldn’t remember her first name, but I did remember her bright yellow background on her Instagram profile photo, and that’s how I found her again. That consistency over time helps with memory recall.
You could meet someone at an event, and they might love you and what you do right away, but not be ready to work with you yet. When that moment comes later, being able to recall your brand colors or visual identity can help them find you again.
What I love about branding and web design as an investment is that it’s one-time. Once it’s done right, you don’t have to touch it again for years. It’s not a monthly subscription or an ongoing expense. It’s an asset that works for you around the clock, bringing in leads and building trust.
How a Professional Branding and Website Support Your Visibility Efforts
So what actually changes when you invest in professional branding and web design?
- They Help You Stand Out From The Competition
Your branding and website make it immediately obvious who you serve and what makes you different, so people know right away if you’re the right fit for them. And when you’re the right fit, choosing you becomes an easy decision.
- They Make People Remember You
The consistent use of color, fonts, and visual style across everything you create makes you recognizable. And when someone is ready to hire a professional in your field six months from now, you want to be the first person they think of.
- They Help You Connect With Your Audience
Good branding is emotional. It creates an experience that makes people feel something when they interact with your business.
When your branding reflects who you are and speaks to who you serve, it helps people feel seen. And when people feel seen, they trust you (simple as that!). And when they trust you, they want to work with you. Simple as that!
- They Help You Establish Authority in Your Industry
Professional branding signals that you’re serious about your business and confident in what you offer.
It positions you as someone who’s established and experienced, even if you’re still building up your client roster. People take you seriously when you show up looking like you take yourself seriously.
- They Make Selling A Lot Easier
One of my photography clients came to me for a rebrand and new website.
After we launched her new site, she tripled her web inquiries that month.
Her marketing strategy was exactly the same. The only thing that changed was where she was sending people. Her website was finally doing the work it needed to do, and that made ALL the difference.
You can see more examples of how I approach branding and web design for different businesses in my portfolio.
Ready to Make the Most Out of Your Business Visibility?
If you’re ready to turn your visibility efforts into consistent client inquiries, here’s where to start:
Book a discovery call to talk about your project and see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Browse my portfolio to see recent work and how I approach branding and web design for different types of businesses.
Get your free website scorecard to see how your current site is performing and get specific feedback on what’s working and what could be improved.
Check-out my All-in-Rebrand Service
Partner Spotlight: Made With Studio
Created by Taryn Schroder, Made With Studio is a brand identity and web design studio serving clients nationwide, based in Raleigh, NC. MWS creates design-forward brands and websites for founder-led businesses and brands.
