Where I’ve Been offers users a new way to explore the world and make travel plans. Users can visit, share their experiences or learn about far away places through the experiences of others. The site also allows users to make reservations and travel plans. By tapping into knowledge of those who have actually traveled there, Where I’ve Been offers users accurate, detailed information that might not be found in the typical travel brochure. Craig Ulliott started it all in 2007 by creating the concept behind Where I’ve Been. Young Ulliott, who began his first development company when he was only 19 years old, wanted to put together an online tool that allowed users to learn about places through other users. Today, the site has flourished and been talked about in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Business Week. The team has expanded to include three other key individuals and an enormous online community of users. Anyone can pick up a travel brochure or check out a tourism website for an area they plan to visit. However, Where I’ve Been offers users the chance to get behind the scenes information about what places to visit and which to avoid, right down to local businesses, restaurants and accommodations. By encouraging a community effort to provide details about various travel destinations, Where I’ve Been is able to offer a unique collection of information that other travel resources neglect. The website has a very trendy appearance, with a streamlined logo and professional menu layout. The fun coloration and images used on Where I’ve Been also help users get in the mood to go out and see the world. There are a few advertisements found along the side and among the features and menus, however these are relatively subdued and do not hinder the experience offered by Where I’ve Been. The site is overall easy to read and navigate with an enticing color scheme. Visitors can click the black “Sign Up” button on the homepage to access the account registration form, which is presented as a pop up at the center of the screen. The account holder’s name, email address and password are required with optional fields for a mobile phone number, birthday and gender. After clicking the terms and conditions check box, the new user can proceed to the friend’s connection page and access website features. Creating an account and browsing the tools found on Where I’ve Been is offered at no cost to the user. Visitors can provide input, research a potential travel destination and connect through popular networking websites without paying a dime for the opportunity. Of course, if a user books accommodations or other travel arrangements, then payment will be required. These fees are not required through Where I’ve Been, but rather through the business offering the service. Where I’ve Been will easily appeal to anyone making travel plans or who have recently returned from a trip. The site provides a unique collection of knowledge based on specific locations all over the world. Users can get a heads up on the best, or worst, places to stay or eat. Those who have recently returned from traveling can share their own experiences, or even share them while they are still experiencing them, provided they have access to a computer and the internet.

• Access to detailed information posted by other users who have been there rather than local tourism boards or businesses with an interest in enticing travelers to pay a visit
• Collections of unique images with an add photos feature that allows users to upload their own
• Ask a question feature that allows potential visitors to ask a specific question about a destination, which the community can answer
• Travel bucks program that allows users to earn website currency through participation
• Maps of each destination
• Friends features that allow users to add others to a friends list as well as invite new users to join

http://www.whereivebeen.com/