TL:DR I rebuilt GarbageGladiators.org off Squarespace, launched the new site on December 10, 2025, then started SEO work focused on local and organic rankings. Early Search Console data suggests Google is reprocessing the site and impressions are stabilizing. However, the Google Business Profile is still not verified, so local map visibility is not where it should be yet. Also, the old web pages currently indexed are getting re-indexed and redirected to the new ones.
By John Kelly
Project overview
GarbageGladiators.org is a local junk removal company that serves Rochester, New York, and nearby towns. They needed a site that loaded faster, explained services more clearly, and sent stronger local signals to Google. I handled the rebuild through 6x6design.com, moved the site off Squarespace, launched the new version on December 10, 2025, and then started ongoing SEO work to improve local and organic visibility.
This post is my baseline report. I want to use it as a benchmark for future updates, so we can compare progress in Search Console, in organic rankings, and in Google Business Profile performance over time.
Where we started
Before the rebuild, the website was on Squarespace. Squarespace can work fine for simple sites, but in this case, it limited the control I wanted for technical SEO and page structure. I also wanted a cleaner service layout, better internal linking, and more consistent location targeting.
One big note that matters for local SEO is the Google Business Profile. Right now, the profile still needs verification. Until that is done, the business will not get the full benefit of map pack visibility for terms like “junk removal near me” around Rochester.
What I built and why
My main goal was to create a site that feels simple to use, but gives Google clean, specific signals. I focused on clarity first, then performance, then SEO structure.
Here is what I changed as part of the migration and rebuild:
- I moved the site off Squarespace to a setup with better control over technical SEO.
- I organized pages around real services and real service areas, so the site matches how people search.
- I tightened up the internal linking, so key pages are easier for users and crawlers to reach.
- I improved mobile layout and load speed, since most junk removal traffic is phone-based.
- I updated homepage messaging to focus on Rochester, NY, and the surrounding areas without sounding forced.
The homepage screenshot for this post is geo-tagged. That detail is not magic on its own, but it supports location context, and it aligns with the service area message on the page.
SEO work I started after launch
Once the new site was live, I started SEO work right away. I kept it practical because the first few weeks after a migration are usually about stability, indexing, and clean signals.
Here is what I focused on first:
- Search Console monitoring, indexing checks, and post-migration validation.
- On-page updates for service intent and local intent keywords.
- Title tag and meta description edits to improve relevance and clicks.
- Internal linking updates to support crawling and to guide users to quote requests.
Early performance notes
I am treating the early numbers as “directional,” not final. A migration often triggers a re-evaluation period. Google can shuffle rankings while it re learns the site structure and content relationships.
Based on the Search Console and performance exports I reviewed, a few things stand out:
- Impressions appear to be returning and settling after the December 10 launch.
- Clicks are still modest, which is normal this early, especially during reprocessing.
- Average position movement looks like testing behavior, not a stable trend yet.
- There is likely upside once the Google Business Profile is verified and optimized.
If I had to summarize it in plain terms, the site appears to have survived the platform change without a major drop in visibility. Now the job is to build authority, strengthen local trust signals, and keep improving how well each page matches what searchers actually want.
Why am I documenting this as a benchmark?
I want future updates to be honest and measurable. That is hard if you do not document the “before” stage. This post locks in the basic context:
- Launch date for the new site: December 10, 2025.
- Platform change: moved off Squarespace.
- SEO status: active, early stage.
- GBP status: not verified yet.
In the next posts, I plan to compare against this baseline using metrics such as impressions, clicks, query mix, top pages, branded versus non-branded traffic, and map pack visibility, once GBP verification is complete.
Next steps
Here is what I plan to tackle next for GarbageGladiators.org:
- Complete Google Business Profile verification, then tighten categories, services, and service area settings.
- Build out service area pages that reflect real demand in the Rochester region.
- Use Search Console query data to guide page edits and new content choices.
- Add trust signals, including reviews, photos, and clear business info across the site.
- Track results month over month, so changes connect to outcomes.
If you want the short version, we now have a stronger foundation for our website. The SEO work has started, the early data looks steady, and the most significant missing piece is GBP verification. Once that is done, local visibility should have a better chance to move in a meaningful way.