Parking apps are more than just a trend cropping up in larger cities around the country. These apps are phenomenal examples of advancements in parking solutions that make parking easier for consumers and business owners alike. Keep reading to learn the five biggest reasons why your parking garage needs an app and understand how this technology can improve the industry.
What Is a Parking App?
If you’ve never used a parking app before or are not technologically savvy with apps, you might not know their functions. Many modern vehicle storage garages and companies use these apps to manage their parking systems. Whether you manage a lot, traditional garage, or mechanical parking system, using an app can help you view and access all your resources in one place. This technology handles payments, reservations, valet systems, and more, all from the convenient interface of an app on your customers’ phones.
Benefits of Creating an App for Your Parking Garage
If you’re interested in learning more about parking apps, keep reading to discover five of the biggest reasons your business should invest in this technology.
1. Convenient Way To Manage Payments
Apps make handling the financial aspect of parking simple and convenient for both businesses and customers. Most customers are already familiar with paying for goods and services through their phones, thanks to the rise in online shopping. Parking apps offer the same convenience, as you can handle payments directly through the app and offer your customers several ways to pay. Your team can handle all these payments in one place through the app’s backend.
No more collecting quarters from parking meters with this method. You can also save yourself the headache of writing up and towing vehicles by sending automatic reminders to customers when their parking limit is approaching, letting them know they need to extend their time. A reminder system helps customers avoid the stressful experience of a ticket or towing, helping them have a more positive experience with your company.
2. Easy Integration With Automated Parking Systems
Automated parking systems and smart systems are the way of the future. Increased numbers of businesses and garages are adopting this form of vehicle storage. Automated parking systems create more space in your garage or structure, and they also make parking easier than ever for both customers and management teams.
Synchronize your smart parking with your app’s spot reservation system, and both you and your customers will be able to see exactly how many spaces are available in your garage. This allows you to extend the various benefits of automated parking to your app for even greater convenience.
3. Provides Insight on Parking Trends
Many apps allow you to collect data and customer trends, which you can compile into intuitive reports. For example, you can learn what times of the day, week, or month your garage gets the most crowded. This data is valuable for evaluating where you can make improvements, such as adjusting pricing based on trends. By analyzing the results and updating your garage to accommodate, you can promote increased sales.
4. More Sustainable Parking
Because most parking apps allow customers to reserve a parking spot in advance, there is no need for unnecessary driving around your lot or garage to find an available spot. This helps reduce the amount of emissions that your customers’ vehicles produce.
You can further reduce emissions by investing in mechanical parking systems for your building. These systems utilize smart technology to transport cars to available spots, which means that the vehicle spends even less time running. If you’re passionate about reducing your business’s carbon footprint and creating a more sustainable vehicle storage solution, consider investing in smart technology like this today.
5. Promotes Better Customer Experience
As we have already mentioned for several of these benefits, they all contribute to a better experience parking with your business for your customers. You want your customers to feel satisfied with their experience so that they trust your garage and come back to park on their future adventures. Adding the convenience and security of a parking app for reservations, payments, and more can save customers time and help them have a more satisfying parking experience. A better customer experience leads to more valuable reviews for your business and returning customers in the future.
Features To Include in a Parking App
Now that you know the benefits of developing a parking app for your business, you might be wondering how to get started. One of the most important things to consider is which features you want to include in your app’s development.
Of course, one of the most important features for both your business and your app’s users is the ability to access payments and offer a variety of payment methods. Some of the most convenient methods to program include credit card payments, as well as services such as PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and more.
You should also consider utilizing geo-location services to allow your customers to easily find your parking structure from their phone’s map. This helps alert more drivers to your garage’s location, which means more income for your business. Parking apps can even provide a location tracker for customers’ parking spots, so they know exactly where to find their car on their return.
Where To Find Parking Technology
You may also be wondering how to integrate smart parking solutions with your future app. The first step to smart parking integration is to invest in automated technology. If you want to learn more about robotic and mechanical parking systems, feel free to browse our solutions here at Harding Steel. We offer automated parking systems and installation for businesses interested in upgrading their garages or structures.
Now that you know the five biggest reasons your parking garage needs an app, we hope you better understand this technology and what it has to offer. If you’re interested in learning more about modern parking advancements like apps and smart parking, contact our experts today at Harding Steel. We can help match you with state-of-the-art parking solutions for your lot or garage.
