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Mar
3
Is it time to scrap Northwest Indiana?
Filed Under Google
Is it time to scrap Northwest Indiana?
I’m not talking about wiping Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties off the map. Instead, I’m thinking about the search term “Northwest Indiana” as it is used on websites and blogs throughout our area.
Some thoughts why scraping “Northwest Indiana” might be appropriate.
Does anyone in our area — besides bloggers — use the term Northwest Indiana when they talk about the region?
Do people outside of Northwest Indiana ever use the term?
Do big players such as Google know where “Northwest Indiana” is located? The answer is No — Google doesn’t know where Northwest Indiana is, at least not by the map they have been displaying.
There’s some interesting talk about the subject of what search terms to use when targeting Northwest Indiana readers over at Green Point Homes.
Brad comments on the discussion:
The problem with NWI is we are so fragmented. Decide where your core geographic areas are to build and go for those town names might be a good strategy because “Northwest Indiana” is kind of amorphous. Usually owning the specific niche first: “Portage” is where you want to start then expand out from there.
What do you think?
Is it time to stop using Northwest Indiana and instead focus on branding content as being for Crown Point, Valparaiso, Gary or other places in the area?
Do you use Northwest Indiana when talking about the region?
Have you heard other people say “Northwest Indiana?”
Comments
7 Responses to “Is it time to scrap Northwest Indiana?”
Is it time to scrap Northwest Indiana? | Christopher Hedges…
Is it time to scrap the search term “Northwest Indiana?” What do you think? Do people use the term “Northwest Indiana” or is it better to use individual city names in our area when targeting readers from Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties?…
Chris,
Maybe we need to use the term Northwest Indiana more often. Focusing on individual cities alone just propigates the division which already exists. We need more unity in the counties. There are many differences, but there are a lot of similarities among us too.
Northwest Indiana has many positive features which should be focused on and promoted. We just don’t see enough of it in the media and marketing for the area.
Lynn Jackson
Northwest Indiana
Hi Lynn,
You bring up a great point. There’s strength in connecting everyone in the region — just as there is when people talk about the Chicago burbs or Marion County, etc.
Maybe you are right. We need to work on the Northwest Indiana brand so that it is instantly recognizable in the area.
People are doing a good job on Twitter with the #NWIndiana and #NWI tags. Maybe we need to make sure to do the same on our blog pages.
I agree with Lynn. We have to better represent this area as a region. While I live in NW Indiana, I work in the southern suburbs of Chicago. If more people saw this as a region, we wouldn’t have to wonder why there is a need for a “Third” airport when the Gary Airport already exists. While I think South Shore is a better description of the area, #NWI, as you pointed out, is better branded.
Thanks for stopping by Gary.
There’s a whole world of economic possibilities that arise from proper branding of an area. Now, we just need to get out there and spread to word to people about all of the great things in the area so that when they think of Northwest Indiana, they think of the south shore of Lake Michigan, the great restaurants of Valpo and Crown Poinit, plus everything else that is good here.
I really do both and all of the above. I am thinking more nationally and globally at this point. If people in NWIndiane get it, great if they don’t not a big deal. I have moved on. I think we need to look beyond our borders on a lot of things. I know some of us are stuck doing business by license of doing business here, but if you are recognized a national leader that just helps you here more and more every day.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Very good thoughts.
There’s no reason why someone cannot serve Northwest Indiana (or Gary, Crown Point, Merrillville or any other city in the area) well while also providing valuable thoughts and information for people around the nation and the world.
I like your idea of aiming to be a national leader — even if your business is limited by licensing to a specific geographical area.