Status of the year - and Merry Christmas to all!
2013 has been a big year for Everplaces, a year where we’ve changed our focus, built a new core technology and established the perfect team. We’d like to thank all our customers, users, investors, community and contacts and wish you a fantastic new year. You’ve been a big part of making our year great.
New Focus
In the beginning of the year we decided to shift our focus from the Everplaces the travel tip community, our most well-known product, to the app-making engine we’d started building in late 2012. The travel community around Everplaces is thriving, and people all over the world use it daily to save travel tips and locations they love. But we decided it would jeopardize the trust that’s essential in the product if we monetized directly, therefore we built-out our technology to become an app-making engine. Today we make our money outside Everplaces travel site.
The world’s best engine for location-based apps
During 2013 our brilliant engineers have built the world’s easiest way to make top quality location-based apps. What our engine essentially does it allow any marketing manager to turn location content, often for travel or tourism, into beautiful branded native iOS apps.
We’re now able to reduce both cost and time to make an app by two thirds!
Working with wonderful companies
We now power 65 apps, we specialize in location-based and work a lot with the travel and tourism sector. We are proud to be working with some of the most innovative companies in that field on cool projects such as:
Copenhagen Cooking by Wonderful Copenhagen
We partnered with one of the world’s most innovative DMOs to create a sleek and smart app for the big Copenhagen Cooking Festival. Delicious!
UNESCO World Heritage Sites by German National Tourist Board
The smart people at the German tourism board have a tough time choosing what to promote in their beautiful country, this year they choose the 38 world heritage sites and promoted it with an app. Magical locations!
Global travel guide series by Urban Adventures
Australian tour company looked all the way to Denmark when they had to choose their mobile partner for their new travel guide series. Their ambition is the publish a guide for all 82 cities where they work, they’ve already published 12 mobile guides!
Some of the things we’re particularly proud of from 2013
- Build world-class app generator for location-based apps
- Now power 65 apps, 27 released in 2013
- Increased turnover by x17
- Partnered with Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, DigitalTourismThinkTank & TellUs
- Thought leader in mobile marketing, app building and working with UGC - spoke at 28 events all over the world
- Everplaces the app featured in Apple’s lists every single week of 2013 and is now used in 95 countries.
- We had 15 separate apps featured by Apple and several apps nominated for awards.
We hope you have had just as good a year as we have. And look forward to seeing you in 2014.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Karlo, Simon, Mark, Ani, Jane, Stefan, Chris, Angie, Tine
London’s best champagne bars
Any plans for New Year’s Eve? If you are in London here are some awesome places to check out.
John Maynard Keynes once said: “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne.” The famous British economist may be surprised to know that London’s champagne establishments today offer much more than chandeliers and caviar.
Check out this collection of unique champagne bars in London from 33rd level views to gourmet hot dogs.
Share your favorite places directly on your blog
Great news for you who have a blog and would like to share your recommendations with your readers.
We have just released a Wordpress plugin that will help you embed any of your Everplaces collections directly in your blog, either as a map or as pictures.
Say you’ve created a collection with the best places you discovered in your last trip to Italy and would like to share it on your blog, now you can easily do it by embedding your collection in a blog post or on theside bar of your blog.
It’s super easy to use and the perfect way to help your readers save and share your tips.
Apps with in-destination information are an opportunity for DMOs, says eMarketer
“As smartphones become ubiquitous among travelers, DMOs and SMBs can attract and retain customers by offering mobile features that guide travelers through their destination, not just to their destination”
This was the verdict of eMarketer, based on a new analysis of the usage of mobile to do local searches for restaurants and things to do while traveling.
Almost half have travel apps now
Almost half (43%) of US travelers with smart phones have installed travel apps, and 30% has several of them.
That’s in line with the general trend, as most travelers today get their mobile out during their trip. MMGY Global, a travel marketing agency, and Harrison Group have discovered that among US leisure travelers, 62% used their smartphones and 43% used tablets.
Travelers who search are open for suggestions
Travelers use their phones to search for places to sleep, eat and things to do, says a comScore report, which found that two-thirds of local business searches for hotel and travel information in December 2012 were nonspecific, suggesting that people looking for travel information on the local level are seeking suggestions, rather than planning pre-decided activities. This means they are open for new restaurants, hotels and experiences to woo them. This is great news for businesses that have made sure to optimize for mobile search with mobile optimized pages.
Travel info missing in most hotel apps
Despite the demand for travel-related information most organizations in travel, in particular hotels, have so far failed to provide their guests with this service, this provides an opportunity for DMOs and hotels to engage travelers with this kind of information.
Guests appreciate curated recommendations
One hotel which is leading the charge on this is Hotel Alexandra, a boutique hotel in Copenhagen. The hotel has a distinct Design-focused identity with classic furniture and art all over the hotel. As such, they attract many design-interested travelers.
Hotel Alexandra recently decided to service their design-loving target audience with a custom city guide focusing on design. It includes places to eat and visit that provide a great design experience. All the locations in the guide are personally selected by staff and management at the hotel, who’ve also taken into account what guests ask for at the front desk most often.
Their app is free, you can check it out here
Read more about the report from eMarketer
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By Tine Thygesen, CEO of Everplaces
[email protected]
If you’re considering making a in-destination app we’d love to help. Here’s some of the 60 apps we’ve already made with our partners and clients.
New study: Branded apps increase purchasing intent
A report about branded app usage helps digital marketing managers understand how consumers use branded apps. The report is full of good news for marketeers.
Most people use branded apps
More than half of smart phone users say they regularly use a store, brand or product app, says a February 2013 study conducted by Ipsos OTX and Ipsos Global Advisor, this demonstrates that it can be worthwhile producing apps for engagement.
Most popular for More info, then Deals
The good news for marketeers is that most people use the apps because they want to engage with the brand. In earlier years, many brands made games and gimmicky apps to create contact, but now utility apps are becoming more popular.
Apps are best for engagement
The general trend we’re seeing at Everplaces is that organizations are starting to use apps more to engage, than to build awareness. For example, in tourism we see a lot of focus on “in destination” information, the purpose of which is to improve the stay of the tourist, who then in turn is more likely to spread their good experience and talk about the destination on social media. Or brands that use apps to extend the experience for visitors to their website, offering an app that showcases products and shows the nearest store. This is in order to capitalize on the traffic and extend the conversation.
Apps increase purchasing intent
Perhaps the best news from the report is that consumers seeking more information via an app typically become more interested in purchasing in the process, as such 52% are more interested in buying after using the branded app.
Cross promotion
What’s also clear from the report is that mobile apps often act as the gateway to the organization, so the consumer can find their way to web pages, social media pages, competitions or tools. As such, the consumer uses the branded app almost as a bookmark so they get to the information they need in the fastest possible way.
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By Tine Thygesen, CEO of Everplaces
[email protected]
If you’re considering making a branded app we’d love to help.
A Guide to Cool Copenhagen: From Vesterbro to Amager
Everplaces ambassador and guest blogger, Nana Hagel, continues her tour in lovely Copenhagen. Join her as she shares her discoveries in this wonderful Copenhagen collection.
After having spent a day in Nørrebro, let’s move on to some of the city’s other neighbourhoods. We’ll start the day in my second favourite neighbourhood: Vesterbro. Copenhageners often say that while Nørrebro is for the young, poor and rebellious at heart, Vesterbro has been occupied by the more settled families with 9 to 5 jobs. This may be partially true, but Vesterbro is as diverse as any other neighbourhood and there’s something for everyone here.
If you’re into fashion, Vesterbro has a pretty large variety of shops that will make your banker lose his mind. One of these is DANSK on Istedgade. Here you’ll find locally designed clothes that are colourful, comfortable and very pretty. A block south of Istedgade is Sønder Boulevard – a popular place to hangout during the summer. Buy a refreshing drink at the popular café Dyrehaven and watch the Copenhagen life pass by.
One of the best things about Copenhagen is the amount of water and open space that characterize the city. Harbour baths are everywhere, and it’s perfectly safe to just jump into the water and cool off. Being able to swim in the middle of a city is like balm for a busy soul, but the popular spots can be a bit crowded in the summer. Nokken is a quick bike ride from Vesterbro, and this little gem is rather unknown to most people, so around here you’ll have the water all to yourself!
From Nokken you have easy access to the island of Amager, home to some of the most interesting architecture in the city. Start off with a visit to the Tietgen Student Hall, a fascinating round dorm just next to the University of Copenhagen. Ride your bike south down Ørestad Boulevard and stop by the VM-Bjerget, another cool piece of architecture designed by the Danish darling Bjarke Ingels and his team at BIG.
If your stomach has started to rumble, it’s time to ride your bike or jump on the new metro straight into the city centre. Though crowded and touristy in the high-season, Torvehallerne is definitely worth a visit. These two covered food markets are like heaven for anyone with a culinary interest, and there is a lot to both eat and see. Take your time and be sure to visit both the section with commodities and prepared food.
All that biking around calls for an ice cream break, doesn’t it? For that, there’s only one place to go: Hviids Is on Østerbro. You have to do another quick bike ride from the city center, but once you taste their homemade Italian popsicles, you won’t be sorry you came here. Actually, you’ll probably be screaming for more! So have as many as your conscience allows you to and be sure to enjoy them here on Olufsvej – a beautiful cobblestoned street with house facades in all colours of the rainbow.
When it’s time for dinner, get back on your bike. Destination: the Meatpacking District of Vesterbro. Still home to the city’s meat production, this industrial area has actually become a hipster hangout. A few years back, the Copenhagen Municipality decided to rebrand the area and they have been successful in doing so – the place is filled with popular restaurants and bars. Have a tasty sourdough pizza at Mother and end the day with a drink and dance under the stars in one of the neighbouring bars.
You can check out and save Nana’s Copenhagen collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
Nana is a freelance travel journalist and a big food lover. She loves taking photos and uses the city as an inspiration.
From Dawn to Dusk in Copenhagen - A Guide to Cool Nørrebro
Everplaces ambassador and guest blogger, Nana Hagel, takes you on a tour in her favourite Nørrebro and shares her discoveries in this wonderful Copenhagen collection.
When people ask me what to do in Copenhagen, I often answer that the best way to experience the city is to just stroll around. Get a cup of coffee, do some people watching from a cosy cafe, enjoy some good and cheap food and ride your rented bike through the cobblestoned streets of the city.
If it is your first visit to the Danish capital, there are of course some touristy must-sees. However, I trust that you have already heard about these sights – so I am going to guide you through the more hidden gems of my favourite Copenhagen neighbourhoods. The city’s foreseeable size makes it possible to see a whole lot in a little time, so why stay put in the centre when there are so many charming places around town? We’ll spend most of the time in my absolute favourite area: Nørrebro. Being the cheapest in town, this neighbourhood is home to all kinds of people, which makes this the city’s most vibrant and colourful area with a hipster factor that’s pretty high (but then again – that pretty much goes for the whole city!).
The best way to start the day is with a rustic breakfast at Nordisk Brødhus. We care a lot about bread here in Denmark, and this place definitely serves some of the best in town! Have a bowl of yoghurt and homemade granola with your bun that is fresh out of the wood-fired stone oven and you’re guaranteed a good beginning of the day.
Very close by you’ll find Assistens Kirkegård, the most beautiful green space in the neighbourhood. Among many other great thinkers, this old cemetery has Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard buried here. Don’t be weirded out by the fact that the place still functions as a cemetery – whenever the weather allows it, people picnic on the grass and enjoy the quietness and the beautiful old trees.
If you’re ready for a cup of coffee, the close-by Jægersborggade is home to the best beans in town. Coffee Collective is a popular place that has expanded their coffee not only to all of Copenhagen, but also Paris. If you want a traditional Danish pastry with that, visit Meyer’s Bakery just across the street. Their kanelsnurrer (cinnamon rolls) are to die for and I promise you, one visit throughout your stay won’t be enough!
If you feel like taking a stroll, you should pass by Søerne, the lakes of Copenhagen. These three lakes once served as the fortifications of the city and today Copenhageners love to catch up here with a cup of coffee to go, go for a run or a small sail in the water. Do as the Copenhageners do and stroll around the docks and gather an appetite; it’s dinner time soon!
Just a few minutes walk from Søerne you’ll find Blågårdsgade. This is where all the cool kids of Nørrebro hang out and the street is packed with restaurants, cafes and bars. Prices are student friendly and the street is always lively and buzzing, especially during the darker hours of the weekend. Bust serves a great dish of the day that’s well prepared and down to earth – and always made from fresh and local ingredients. Make sure to get a seat outside!
If you feel like ending your day with a beer, Mikkeller & Friends located on the hip and up-and-coming Stefansgade serve more than 40 different beers on tap – all of them from microbreweries around the country. This place is packed on a Friday night, and people love the beers so much that the entrepreneurial guys behind the business have opened a branch in San Francisco.
You can check out and save Nana’s Copenhagen collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
Nana is a freelance travel journalist and a big food lover. She loves taking photos and uses the city as an inspiration.
Camping at North Cape
Are you a hopeless romantic? Then witnessing the midnight sun in stunning Norway could just be the trip for you. Our ambassador from Germany, Elmar Reckmann has just realized his dream of touring Europe all the way up to North Cape in a VW minivan. Still on the road in Norway, Elmar is sharing with us his impressions and tips in this collection.
It took me two years to realize my dream. After some search I finally found my VW minivan and started the long planned trip to the North Cape. It was only one week left to see the midnight sun that ends on the 29th of July, so I really had to hurry up to reach the North Cape.
The trip was really amazing and I passed so many different landscapes on the 3,500 km journey. After two days I was already behind my daily goal, but the last day trip was better than expected, and I arrived at the North Cape on time.
Beautiful sunny weather was waiting for me and I got one of the best parking lots in the first row. The midnight sun was just awesome as I had the clearest view on the horizon. Feels a bit cosy when the sun will not go down, and I was able to get used to the daylight during the nights since I passed the Arctic circle.
The first step was taken and from now on my vacation can really start. I have four weeks time to drive back home through the amazing nature of Norway with all the beautiful fjords, the huge mountains, wonderful people and all the experiences I collected so far. This trip will definitely stay forever in my memories…
You can check out and save Elmar's collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
Summer Weekend in Zürich
Switzerland is always enticing for travellers with its pristine nature and pretty cities. Everplaces ambassador and guest blogger, Mela Mörtenbäck, is just back from Zürich and shares her discoveries in this wonderful Zürich collection.
Zurich – the city at the river Limmat is one of the most livable cities in the world. With considerable culture and shopping offers, the close-by Lake Zurich and the mountains, the 400.000 inhabitants-counting city has every kind of possibilities. If you’re spending a weekend in Zurich, be sure to not miss the upcoming neighborhood Zurich West besides all those classic sights.
Historic places, picturesque streets and districts, churches and art objects: that’s all visitors appreciate in Zurich. With all its small stores, cafés and restaurants, a stroll through the Niederdörfli is a must when visiting the Swiss capital. Continue your walk on the other side of the Limmat, through the Augustinergasse up to Lindenhof and enjoy a stunning view over the city up there. The popular district Schipfe is worth a stroll as well, as you’ll reach the numerous bridges across the Limmat to get a glimpse of the historic buildings from the water. Climb up the 187 steps at the Karlsturm to enjoy a 360-degree view over the city.
Apart from the historic city center there is happening much in other districts as well; particularly the developing district Zurich West is worth a visit. The recently opened 25hours Hotel Zurich West is the perfect starting point – both a design hotel in the middle of a trendy area and calm anchor. The former industrial district Zurich West is developing like no other district in Zurich and thanks to dedicated projects it’s becoming an attractive area.
A characteristic location is – without a doubt – the flagship store of the iconic label Freitag. Located right at the train station Hardbrücke, 26 cargo containers rise up to the sky and are both home for the world’s biggest selection of Freitag bags, as well as an observation deck. And this observation deck reveals the view over Frau Gerolds Garten – my personal highlight during a stay in Zurich. In summer 2012 Frau Gerolds Garten opened its doors and since then it became a popular city garden with a kitchen garden, a restaurant and bar, small shops and a place for artists and culture. Here fresh herbs, salads, vegetables and fruits are grown and directly processed in the own kitchen, which is offering daily changing menus. And at Gerolds Markt, young creatives sell fashion and accessories in small shops and in an American trailer.
Continuing the stroll through Zurich West, be sure to check out both Bogen33 and Walter Vintage Möbel and Accessories. You’ll find a great selection of second hand and vintage interior objects there. Also a must see in this corner are the Viaduktbögen. Underneath the railway viaduct you’ll find a bustling urban life: places to stroll around, to shop, to stay and to enjoy something to eat and to drink. 36 arches became a small shopping-paradise with a mixture of fashion labels, interior design, delicatessen shops and ateliers. And at the end of the viaduct, twenty farmers are selling regional products at the Markthalle.
Don’t miss the various locations at the water during a weekend in Zurich. Be it at one of the numerous “Bädli” at the river Limmat in the middle of the city or in one of the lake resorts at the Lake Zurich: everyone will find what’s right for him/her. The original art nouveau resort Frauenbadi in the heart of Zurich is a highlight for itself. During the day a resort only for women, it opens its doors for everyone in the evening and becomes a Barfussbar. And yes, you have to take it literally, shoes must be left at the entrance. To go for a swim, I personally prefer the lake like many locals do. Along the waterfront, you’ll find many official lake resorts or meadows to lie in the sun, take a nap or cool down in the sea. Some minutes out-of-town, Fischer’s Fritz is an unconventional location to hang out at the sea.
It is fair to say that Zurich is one of the most expensive cities of the world. Nevertheless it’s an appropriate alternative to other european million-metropolis in summer. Not too big but with every comfort you’d wish from a trendy city.
You can check out and save Mela’s Zürich collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
Mela is a passionate traveller and hobby photographer from Tyrol, Austria. She loves to combine travelling and photography by exploring new cities. You can follow her adventures on Everplaces here.
A Weekend in Hamburg
Is the bustling German city, Hamburg, on your travel agenda? Follow Everplaces ambassador and guest blogger, Mela Mörtenbäck, as she shares her discoveries in this wonderful Hamburg collection.
I don’t really know why it’s said that it’s always raining in Hamburg. During my second stay in the Northern German city sunshine and summer temperatures welcomed me.
For a cozy and comfortable stay in a good location, I’d highly recommend The George Hotel in the St. Georg district. It’s close to the main station and is within a walking distance to the Alster.
Take the chance for a paddleboat tour at the Alster, as it’s a real fun way to enjoy the sunny weather. My personal highlight: a stop at the so-called “Feenteich”, where you’ll find an idyll in the middle of Hamburg.
To explore Hamburg ashore, take a (guided) bike tour. It’s so much fun and an easy way to cover all the important sights and districts within short time. Make sure to not miss St. Georg, Speicherstadt, HafenCity, Neustadt, Karolinenviertel, Schanzenviertel and Gängeviertel as those districts are very popular for individual stores, cozy cafés, delicious restaurants, flea markets and more. I’d especially recommend the Susannenstraße and Schanzenstraße as well as the Schulterblatt to discover an “alternative” Hamburg.
Also pretty interesting is the HafenCity, Europe’s currently biggest city development project. It’s kind of a new city in the city and offers an interesting mix of office rooms, shops, restaurants and bars. My personal tip: every Saturday there’s a small designer market called “Der.Die.Sein.Markt” at the Unilever-building. From fashion and jewelry to photography and interior design you’ll find everything there.
The harbour of Hamburg is both very famous and impressive. Take a tour by boat to get a glimpse of the harbour business and enjoy a ride through the Speicherstadt during night on Friday and Saturday evenings.
And what to do on hot summer days? Make sure not to miss an afternoon at the Elbstrand, a tiny little beach and popular attraction for locals as well.
You can check out and save Mela’s Hamburg collection on Everplaces. Collections are a great way to share your favourite places on Everplaces, or create mini-guides for visiting friends & family.
Mela is a passionate traveller and hobby photographer from Tyrol, Austria. She loves to combine travelling and photography by exploring new cities. You can follow her adventures on Everplaces here.