6x6 Blog

Garbage Gladiators website snapshot

Case Study: GarbageGladiators.org Website Rebuild and Early SEO Progress

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

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JK6x6 December 16, 2025
two hands handling devices demonstrating mobile-first website design

A Practical Guide to Mobile First Website Design

Mobile-first website design is a pretty simple concept. You start by designing a website for the smallest screen—a smartphone—and then work your way up to tablets and desktops. This approach forces you to focus on what’s most important for the majority of web users, who are almost certainly browsing on their phones. Why Mobile First Is The Only Way Forward The way people get online has completely changed. The desktop computer sitting on a desk is no longer the main entry point to the internet. That job now belongs to the smartphone in your pocket. For any business that wants to stay relevant, ignoring this shift is no longer an option. A mobile-first website isn’t just a “best practice” anymore—it’s a fundamental requirement for digital survival. The data tells the story loud and clear. In 2024, more than 61% of all website traffic came from mobile devices. This isn’t just a trend; it’s the new standard. The shift is even more dramatic in e-commerce, where a staggering 76% of US adults say they make purchases on their smartphones. When that many of your potential customers are on mobile, greeting them with a clunky, shrunken-down desktop site is a surefire way

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JK6x6 December 10, 2025

Website Mistakes That Hurt Local Search Rankings for Rochester Businesses

Many small business websites look fine on the surface, but common technical or structural issues can weaken local visibility. If you serve customers in Penfield, Webster, Pittsford, Fairport, or Brighton, avoiding these mistakes will help your business appear more often in Google Maps and local search results. 1. Slow Loading Speeds A slow website damages both user experience and search performance. Customers leave quickly when a site takes too long to load. Google uses speed as a ranking factor, especially for mobile users.  Curious about your website loading speed?  Try this free, safe scan tool called Pagespeed Insights and see your pages in mobile and desktop results. 2. Weak or Missing Local Content If your website does not reference nearby towns or service areas, Google has a difficult time understanding where you operate. Your dedicated location pages help solve this issue: Penfield Website Design Webster Website Design Pittsford Website Design Fairport Website Design Brighton Website Design 3. Poor Mobile Performance If your site is hard to use on a mobile device, customers leave quickly and search engines notice. A mobile-friendly website layout improves engagement and ranking. 4. Missing or Weak Calls to Action Your visitors need to know what to do

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JK6x6 December 4, 2025

How Local Businesses in Rochester Can Improve Their Website Visibility in Google Maps

When customers search for a service near them, Google Maps is often the first place they look. For small businesses across Penfield, Webster, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, and the greater Rochester area, improving Google Maps visibility can deliver more calls, more leads, and more long-term growth. Most local businesses do not realize that their website directly affects how well they rank in the Map Pack. A strong Google Business Profile helps, but the quality of your website, its speed, structure, and local relevance all influence Maps visibility as well. Why Google Maps Visibility Matters The Local 3 Pack accounts for a large percentage of clicks for service-based searches. Customers often select a business directly from Google Maps without ever visiting the full search results. If your business does not appear in the top three, you miss a significant number of potential customers. 1. Improve Your Website Structure Your website needs clean navigation, strong headings, clear calls to action, and fast page loading. Google rewards websites that create a smooth, organized user experience. If your site is outdated or slow, consider working with a professional. A modern layout from a local website designer can improve both user engagement and search visibility. 2.

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JK6x6 November 23, 2025

Why Every Small Business Website Needs AI Enhancements in 2026

AI is transforming how customers interact with businesses online. For local companies across Rochester, Penfield, Webster, Pittsford, Fairport, and Brighton, adding AI features to your website is no longer a trend. It is becoming an essential upgrade for customer experience, efficiency, and long-term growth. AI Helps Customers Get Answers Faster AI-powered tools allow your website to provide quick answers and helpful information even when your business is closed. This offers a better customer experience and increases conversions. AI Improves Lead Quality Smart forms, automated screening questions, and guided submissions help businesses receive more accurate inquiries. This saves time and helps you focus on high-quality leads. AI Enhances Website Search Many websites have large amounts of content that customers never find. AI-powered search tools allow visitors to locate exactly what they need faster and more easily. Better Personalization AI tools can customize recommendations or highlight specific content based on user behavior. This personal touch helps users feel more connected to your business. Better Data for Business Decisions AI tools can help you understand what customers are looking for, where they get stuck, and what content matters most. These insights strengthen your overall website strategy. Local Businesses Benefit the Most Customers expect

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JK6x6 November 23, 2025

WordPress – Why You Need It

TL;DR At 6×6 Design LLC, we build every site on WordPress because it is flexible, search engine-friendly, and ready for the future. When you combine WordPress with modern Large Language Model tools for content and strategy, your small business website in Rochester, NY can grow faster, publish smarter content, and stay competitive without extra technical overhead. Why 6×6 Design LLC Uses WordPress Exclusively WordPress began in 2003 as a simple blogging platform and has since evolved into the most widely used open-source website system in the world. I once hand-coded every site from scratch, as most designers did back then, until I discovered the power and efficiency of WordPress website design. More than 300 websites later, I still use it for every new build, from small local businesses to full-scale custom sites. Here are the key reasons we recommend WordPress for every client who needs professional WordPress web design Rochester NY. 1. Instant syndication for new content Each time you publish a post, WordPress can automatically notify search engines and content feeds. This push-style system speeds up indexing, so your new content is seen and ranked sooner. The result is better visibility and faster SEO gains. 2. Open source and

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JK6x6 November 1, 2025

YouTube Video For Business Marketing

  How to Use YouTube for Business in 2025 TL;DR: YouTube remains one of the most powerful platforms for marketing, search visibility, and customer engagement. It is owned by Google, optimized for search, and free to use. Short, focused videos can drive traffic, increase trust, and boost conversions for businesses of any size.   YouTube Is More Than Entertainment YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, right after Google. That is no surprise since Google owns YouTube. But what might surprise some business owners is how often people turn to YouTube not just for entertainment, but to research products, learn how to solve problems, and get real feedback from other customers. Business searches on YouTube often include: How-to videos Product reviews and testimonials Company updates or educational content Service walkthroughs and tutorials Brand storytelling and customer success stories YouTube Helps You Get Found Videos hosted on YouTube are indexed by both YouTube and Google. That means a well-optimized video can show up in regular search results, not just inside YouTube. Thanks to rich snippets and video thumbnails in Google results, your content has a strong chance of being noticed, even if it is not the top result. A

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JK6x6 October 16, 2025

Pay Per Click Advertising-PPC

TL;DR: PPC ads are paid placements that show up in search engine results. You pay every time someone clicks your ad. While it can produce fast results, PPC comes with financial risk and requires careful planning and budgeting. Many businesses benefit most by using PPC to fill gaps after building strong organic SEO first. What Are PPC Ads? Pay Per Click advertising, or PPC, is a digital advertising model where businesses pay a fee each time someone clicks on their ad. These ads usually appear at the top or bottom of search engine results, marked as “sponsored” or “ad.” Google Ads is the most popular platform, but Microsoft Ads (formerly Bing Ads) and others offer similar services. PPC is a quick way to get your site in front of potential customers who are actively searching for your product or service. But it is not without cost or risk. You pay whether or not that visitor becomes a paying customer. A Simple Cost Example Let us look at a conservative example. If you run a PPC ad campaign with the following assumptions: Average cost per click is $1.50 You receive 10 clicks per day Your daily ad spend is $15.00 Your

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JK6x6 October 15, 2025

Still Trying To Figure Out Social Media for Business?

TL;DR: Social media is no longer optional for businesses. It influences how people find you, how your reputation is shaped, and whether potential customers choose you. If you are not showing up socially, you may not show up at all. The time to get involved is now, and even small steps make a difference. Why Social Media Still Matters More Than Ever If you are still trying to wrap your head around social media, you are not alone. Many business owners feel overwhelmed. But while you stay busy running your day-to-day, the digital landscape continues to evolve. Social media is not just a trend. It is now an essential part of how customers discover, evaluate, and engage with businesses. The Customer Journey Has Changed Here is a simple version of how customers find you today: Someone has a problem or a need. They turn to search engines with questions like what, where, how, and who. If you have an online presence that includes helpful content, you might show up in those search results. If your website looks trustworthy and your reviews are solid, they might choose to contact or buy from you.   All pretty routine so far, right? But

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JK6x6 October 14, 2025

Has Word-Of-Mouth Marketing Changed? You Decide

TL;DR: Word-of-mouth marketing remains the most trusted form of promotion, even in today’s digital world. Social media has only amplified its reach and influence, not replaced it. Businesses must recognize that while platforms change, the power of people sharing honest opinions never goes out of style. Why Word-of-Mouth Still Works Wonders Any business owner or shopper knows that word-of-mouth can make or break a decision. It’s a simple truth: people trust other people more than they trust ads. No TV commercial, paid search result, or banner ad has the power of a genuine recommendation from a friend or peer. What makes it so powerful is the trust behind it. A happy customer who tells their friends is sharing an experience, not a sales pitch. That kind of trust builds long-term loyalty and brand recognition. The Internet Didn’t Change Word-of-Mouth, It Amplified It Despite how much has changed in marketing over the years, word-of-mouth has remained a constant. The only difference today is where those conversations are happening. Before, it was at the coffee shop or over the phone. Now, it’s in Facebook comments, Instagram stories, Google reviews, and Reddit threads. The message is the same. The medium just moved online.

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JK6x6 October 12, 2025

Developing a Website Security Plan for Small Business Owners

How to Keep Your Small Business Website Secure in 2026 TL;DR Website security protects your business, your data, and your customers Common threats include malware, phishing, brute force attacks, ex-employee access, and SQL injections Best practices include using strong passwords, managing access, installing SSL, and avoiding risky file uploads Hire a trusted cybersecurity freelancer for ongoing monitoring and protection Search engines and LLMs prefer secure, maintained sites with HTTPS and minimal risk factors There are certain technologies that every business needs now, and a secure, professional website is one of them. After investing in design and content, the last thing you want is for your website to be damaged by preventable security issues. Just like a new roof or car, your website needs regular updates and maintenance. Think of it as a tool that supports your customer communication, sales, and trust. A secure website protects your business and helps it perform better in search results and AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others. Most Common Website Security Threats Security issues come in many forms. Some are more technical, and others are caused by human error or lack of maintenance. Here are the top threats that small business websites face:

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JK6x6 October 10, 2025