Chris Powers, Founder of Graphic Gato, has built his career around a deep passion for web design, SEO, and helping businesses grow online. In this interview with
Website Planet, Chris shares how his journey began, what sets his approach apart, and how he sees the future of web design evolving with AI and beyond.
What inspired you to start Graphic Gato, and how has the company grown and evolved since you founded it?
I’ve always been interested in web design. Back in the mid-90s when AOL was everywhere, I stumbled across an app called AOL Press, which was one of those early WYSIWYG website builders. Inside it was a help file that walked you through HTML and CSS. I went through that thing religiously, line by line, and taught myself how to build sites. My first site was terrible, a
cliché mix of every 90s trope imaginable, but I was proud of it because I figured it out on my own.
I studied Otis College of Art and Design out in Los Angeles and earned a BFA in digital media with a focus on visual effects and 3-d modeling. Right before I graduated I fell into the video game world, landing an internship with a video game company. After a few of years in video games, I moved back to San Antonio where I got a job as a Marketing Manager for a logistics company. One of my tasks was to rebuild their website and I fell in love with website design all over again. Some time went by and I developed my skills and in 2018 I decided to make things official and founded Graphic Gato. I’ve always seen websites as a kind of choose-your-own-adventure story where people can learn, explore, and hopefully enjoy the experience.
When I first started out, my main focus was just building websites. Quickly I realized I needed to dive into SEO, especially local SEO, since most of my clients would be San Antonio businesses. That opened up a whole new world. SEO is constantly evolving, and with AI and AI-driven search, it’s changing even faster. My services naturally expanded. Now I don’t just build websites, I provide full packages that include hosting, SEO, social media, and email campaigns. Because honestly, there’s no point in having a website if no one can find it.
How does Graphic Gato set itself apart from other agencies in terms of creativity and client collaboration?
Most of my clients are local, though I’ve had national and even international projects. I like the local focus because it builds deeper relationships. One of my longest clients has been with me since 2018. We still run into each other at the gym and talk, so it’s not just a business transaction anymore. I like being more than just the person who makes a website. Sometimes I’m a consultant, sometimes a coach, and sometimes even a bit of a life coach.
I also try to teach my clients. I want them to understand what’s being done so they can recognize value and not get taken advantage of. I’ve had clients come to me with horror stories about previous agencies, and it blows my mind how often businesses get mistreated. That’s why I take a friendly, transparent approach. I want people to feel like they can call me anytime, ask a question, and know they’re not going to get brushed off.
I also set myself apart with how I structure my services. Instead of charging a huge upfront fee and disappearing after launch, I work on a subscription model. Clients pay a manageable monthly rate, and in return they know they always have me in their corner. It keeps us connected, keeps their websites fresh, and gives them peace of mind knowing they can text, call, or email me and I’ll be there.
Can you share an example of a challenging project and how you handled it?
A few years ago, I had a client who had spent years and a lot of money with another company building an e-commerce site with blogs, maps, and all kinds of features. When it finally launched, it didn’t work. Worse, it wasn’t secured during development, so bots got in and sabotaged it, redirecting users to bad sites. Then the company that built it shut down immediately after launch, leaving the client stranded.
I’m not a WordPress developer by trade, but I jumped on a Zoom call with a friend who is. We discovered the original company had stripped out the editing tools. The site was essentially set in stone. Without starting over, it was unfixable. I told the client the only option was to rebuild it. I couldn’t guarantee I could fix what they had, but I could guarantee a fresh build would work.
They agreed, and I spent the next month and a half rebuilding it pixel for pixel, since they liked the design. I made sure everything functioned properly, and when it launched again it finally worked. That was a proud moment.
The biggest lesson I took away was my value. That project came not long after I formed my LLC, and it was the wake-up call that told me, “Hey, you’re worth something. People will pay you for your expertise, and you can deliver.” That same client is still with me today.
How do you approach design, functionality, and user experience in your projects? Do you follow a particular philosophy?
For me, everything starts with SEO. If you don’t have a strong SEO strategy, then your website is basically invisible. It’s like opening a store on the outskirts of town with no signs, no ads, and just hoping people will drive by. You can have the nicest shop in the world, but if nobody knows about it, what’s the point?
So every project I take on starts with the foundation of SEO. I design sites to look great and function well, but always with an eye on how it will rank, how it will bring clients in, and how it will give my clients an edge over their competition. SEO is living and breathing. It doesn’t stop after launch. That’s why my subscription model works. Clients stay engaged with me, and we keep their websites alive and competitive.
How do you educate your clients about web design and SEO, and why is that important to you?
I keep it simple. I don’t want to overwhelm anyone with jargon. For example, if I tell someone about “structured data,” it might sound intimidating, and I never want a client to feel dumb. So I explain things in plain language. My goal is to empower them with enough knowledge to feel comfortable.
A lot of people worry about websites because it’s their storefront, and they’ve heard horror stories of sites going down or not ranking. I don’t want that stress on their shoulders. If I can simplify the process and help them understand enough to feel secure, it not only improves their mental peace but strengthens our relationship.
What does the future of Graphic Gato look like, and how do you see your role in the San Antonio business community evolving?
I’ve never wanted Graphic Gato to be a big corporate agency with a building and a big staff. I like being a one-man show because it keeps things personal. My clients know they’re not just a number on an invoice. That’s important to me.
That said, I do see possibilities of maybe hiring someone eventually. If I do, I’d prefer to hire locally, though in today’s world that person could work remotely from anywhere. But I like the idea of keeping things tied to San Antonio because it’s my hometown. San Antonio is a big city, but it has that small-town feel. I love being part of that fabric.
For now, I’m happy where I’m at: low overhead, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround. That lets me stay affordable for small businesses while delivering top-quality work. My goal is to keep growing my client base locally, strengthen those relationships, and continue being a trusted partner for businesses here.
As the digital landscape evolves, is there a particular area you’re excited about exploring?
Definitely AI. I really like how AI is changing things. It’s still new and growing, but I enjoy experimenting with it. I see it as an art form as much as a science. The key is using it responsibly, not just spitting out junk.
AI helps me turn projects around faster, which means my clients see results quicker. As a one-man operation, having AI tools saves me time and lets me focus on strategy and creativity. I’m cautious with it though. There are a lot of tools that make big promises and don’t deliver, and you have to be careful not to push out bad or even copyrighted content.
Some people ask if I’m worried AI will take my job. Honestly, no. At least not anytime soon. Most people don’t even understand how to use AI yet, and it’s going to take a while before it becomes mainstream. I’m excited about its potential, but I’m not worried.
What really excites me is helping clients integrate AI into their own businesses. Many of them are stuck doing manual tasks that waste time and money. If I can show them how to automate processes and focus on growth instead, that’s a huge win. I see part of my role becoming an AI consultant, helping local businesses leverage it in ways that actually move the needle.
