Branding and marketing are two distinct aspects.
Marketing is defined as an action or business of promoting and selling products or services.
Branding is a practice of creating name, symbol or design that communicates your brand message to the masses.
Branding is who you are and marketing is marketing is how you raise brand awareness. Branding is the first step of your marketing strategy.
Whether you are a startup or a well-established business branding is very important to communicate your brand message.
Even if your marketing strategies are to the mark, your conversion rates can be low if people are not aware of your brand (branding is important for marketing efforts to be successful).