1. Set the geographic boundary before discussing a story
A Mendota Heights firm may serve people in the city, elsewhere in Dakota County, throughout Minnesota or in a wider metropolitan area. Those are different audiences. A story about a Minnesota statute may be relevant statewide; a court or agency development may require a narrower explanation; an incident associated with a particular road or municipality may call for careful geographic wording. The Census record identifies Mendota Heights as a municipality in Dakota County. It does not establish that residents are searching for legal news, that a particular practice has demand there or that nearby firms compete for those searches.
Recommended approach
For each proposed page, decide whether the geographic reference belongs in the headline, the legal explanation, the call to action or nowhere. Review whether the page should speak to Mendota Heights residents, Dakota County residents, Minnesota readers or a broader group. Keep the service area accurate rather than treating the city name as proof that a story belongs on the site.
