Visual branding includes various design elements such as materials, shapes, colors, fonts, and functionality. However, the point to note here is that visual branding is not the same as branding.
Branding consists of the complete suite of branding components that a company needs, such as user profiles, videos, brand awareness, social media posts, content strategies, and logos. It's almost literally everything your brand needs before it steps into the battlefield.
However, visual branding includes the components that communicate to your audience visually.
The ultimate goal of having a visual identity is to evoke an emotional connection between the audience and the brand. This is done through the colors, fonts, and shapes used in the company's website, logo design, and business cards.