1. Define what “West Hattiesburg” means in your reporting
The Census record identifies West Hattiesburg CDP as being in Lamar County. A dashboard can only support a useful local decision when the firm and provider agree on what a location label represents. West Hattiesburg, Lamar County, Mississippi, a service area, a city target and a statewide keyword are not interchangeable. Population is context, not proof that residents are searching for a particular practice area or that a page will produce a matter. Ask to see how location names are assigned to tracked keywords, pages, calls and leads. Also ask whether a location field describes the search target, the page, the caller’s stated location or another data point.
Recommended approach
Write a geographic definition into the review criteria. Require separate views for West Hattiesburg, Lamar County and any broader Mississippi coverage your firm elects to measure. Do not combine those views into a single local-performance claim without a stated rule.
