Posted: May 20, 2022 10:04AM ET • 4 min read

Someone using their cellphone while sitting in their vehicle

Mobile parking apps have taken the parking and mobility industry by storm, allowing customers to do more than pay for parking, all from their mobile devices. The challenge? The multitude of mobile parking apps out there makes it all the more challenging to stand out in an overly saturated market, resulting in a lack of users and a loss in revenue.

If you are a digital services program manager looking to integrate a mobile parking app into your parking facility, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are four features your mobile parking app should include.

1. Integrate mobile scan-to-pay for payment flexibility.

Flexibility is vital when it comes to mobile payment options. That is why allowing your customers to pay for parking directly in your mobile app is ideal. Quick mobile scan-to-pay options help consumers get where they need to go faster, whether interacting with a gated or non-gated system. All that is required from them is to scan a QR code (usually on an entry ticket for gated systems and on signage for non-gated systems), select their duration, and input their payment details.

But it doesn’t stop there. Once QR codes are scanned, the customer is automatically connected in real-time to the parking infrastructure and rates, creating seamless journeys that have never been easier.

2. Offer mobile reservations for elevated customer experiences.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, parking facilities are increasingly recognized as destinations that offer more than just parking. Offering mobile reservations allow you to create a more personalized experience for your visitor and process everything they need from the moment they park, arrive at their final destination, and everything in between.

Whether it be as simple as pre-booking a spot or offering customer-specific integrations such as care services, electric vehicle charging, and valet parking, there is no limit to what you can offer—it’s just a matter of putting it to fruition.

3. Process parking validations for increased customer retention.

Your visitors fuel your business needs to succeed—so why not reward them for their loyalty or simply provide select visitors with an exclusive experience?

Processing promo codes within your mobile parking app enables you to provide complimentary or discounted parking to customers of your choice—all they have to do is scan or manually input promotional codes. Increasing your customer retention is as simple as that.

4. Provide mobile parking permits for instant access.

The traditional workday has evolved into one that offers employees flexibility, convenience, and choice. So why not offer permits that mimic that? Mobile parking permits make parking easier for you and your customers, allowing them to enjoy instant access directly from their smartphones. Mobile QR codes or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) eliminate the need for physical cards while helping you gather subscriber data. Customers should be able to select from various permit models, including monthly, pay-as-you-go, and prepaid, based on their needs.

Mobile parking apps make it easier for your customers to park, pay, and go—all from the palms of their hands. When considering investing in a mobile parking app, remember to develop or choose a solution that will meet evolving industry standards and consumer needs.

Reference

Lato, M. (2022, May 2). Combating app fatigue with app-free mobile payment options - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://www.preciseparklink.com/news/combating-app-fatigue-with-app-free-mobile-payment-options

Wilhelm, J. (2020, September 8). Must-have features for your mobile parking payment app. Parking Industry. Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/feature-articles/must-have-features-for-your-mobile-parking-payment-app