CanXsee: Newly created Eurobodalla app expanding amid overwhelming success

An app created to promote businesses, events and organisations around a NSW South Coast region, is set to expand along the state following a successful launch.

CanXsee founder Sanchee Barnes.

A smartphone app created to promote businesses, tourism and events around a NSW South Coast region is set to expand further along the state after an “overwhelmingly successful” launch.

CanXsee was created by Batemans Bay mother, Sanchee Barnes, after she discovered a gap in the Eurobodalla market for small business and event promotion.

Two years in the making, the free app works as a “what’s on” style website, where users are able to see events happening near them in the Eurobodalla, what businesses are doing, what facilities are available and more.

Ms Barnes told The South Coast News the app had “smashed” targets in its first two months.

“This is something the community needs, it’s a one-stop shop to see things like dance lessons, where happy hour is, things to do while you’re on holiday,” she said.

The app – which has reached more than 1000 downloads – came out at a time when tourism businesses in Batemans Bay were struggling to inform visitors of events around the region after the Bay visitor centre closed its doors for good.

“People are installing it as they check into hotels and it tells them what they can do around the area, what events are on, where they can eat, grab a drink,” Ms Barnes said.

A look at the CanXsee interface.

Now, after more than 100 businesses joining the newly created app, Ms Barnes made the decision to expand its reach beyond the Eurobodalla.

In the coming weeks, CanXsee will launch in the Bega Valley, before launching in the Shoalhaven.

“We’ve seen there is a market for the app, so we’re pretty confident in expanding into these new regions,” Ms Barnes said.

According to Ms Barnes, businesses were eager to join the app due to the low subscription costs, ranging from no cost at all to $150 a month.

“Advertising on Google can be really expensive for small businesses, ranging upwards from $500,” she said.

“So we’re offering prices which are genuinely reasonable for businesses and organisations to advertise their companies to visitors.”

Customers can advertise five events/ads on the app per months for free, however to advertise more, prices kick in ranging from $50 to $150 per month.

While the expansion is a big move, for Ms Barnes it is only the beginning.

“I want this to go national,” she said.

“We’ve built the app to be sustainable to work nationwide.

“It’s a great way for businesses to advertise their events and facilities at a local level and we think it can work Australia wide.”

CanXsee will launch in the Bega Valley in the coming weeks, before growing to the Shoalhaven.

It can be downloaded on from Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail].