Creativity, Chess, and Web Design: Strategy Is My Secret Weapon
- Steve Crayne
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
When people ask me how I became one of the top-rated Wix web designers in Atlanta, they’re often surprised by my answer: chess. Yes, chess—the ancient game of strategy and foresight. I’ve played it since I was a kid, and over the years, I’ve come to realize that it’s more than just a hobby. It’s a mindset. And it’s helped shape how I build websites, run my business, and solve problems creatively.
At its core, chess is about looking ahead. Every move affects what happens three, four, or ten moves down the board. That’s exactly how I approach web design. I don’t just think about what a site will look like today—I think about how it will grow, scale, and adapt to a client’s future needs. Whether it’s adding eCommerce down the road or preparing a nonprofit for grant visibility, I build with foresight.
Chess also teaches you to see patterns. A great player notices opportunities that others miss. In web design, this means understanding how user behavior flows through a site, how calls to action influence engagement, and how SEO structure drives organic traffic. These are not just design decisions—they’re strategic ones.

Creative Strategy in Action: Marketing Meets Innovation
Let’s talk about creative problem-solving. I’ve spent years working in marketing, retail, and media. At Blockbuster, UAV Corporation, and MovieStop, I learned how to analyze data, test tactics, and move quickly when something wasn’t working. At Boardworks Outdoor Advertising, I developed a first-of-its-kind live-tweeting billboard system in Atlanta. Why? Because we needed to break through the noise and reach people differently. That’s strategy. That’s chess.
When I sit down to build a website, I see the entire board. The client’s brand, their goals, their challenges—each element is a piece. And just like in chess, you need more than instinct. You need a plan. That’s why my clients trust me not just as a designer, but as a strategic partner.
Designing Beyond the Visual: Educating Clients to Think Ahead
This mindset is especially powerful for clients who don’t yet see the full picture of their online presence. Maybe they’re focused on colors and fonts. That’s important—but I’m also looking at site architecture, mobile responsiveness, bounce rates, and how to drive calls, clicks, or conversions. I help clients think several moves ahead, often before they realize what’s needed.
Wix gives me the flexibility to execute that vision. It’s intuitive, powerful, and scalable—just like a great strategy. I can test ideas, pivot quickly, and ensure that clients can take over their sites with confidence. This empowers them to act, not react.
Strategy also means knowing when to simplify. In chess, sometimes the best move is to eliminate complexity. Same in web design. Some of the best sites I’ve built are the most straightforward—clean, clear, and fast. Because clarity wins. Because simplicity converts. Because attention spans are short, and competition is everywhere.

What ties it all together is the philosophy that I bring to every project: You don’t win by chance. You win with vision. With preparation. With bold creative moves grounded in logic. And yes—with strategy.

Steve Crayne
Starting Gate Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions
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