The growing number of cars and limited parking lots lead to prolonged searches for parking spots. Car owners often settle for the first available spot, underscoring the need for cost-effective parking app development.
Some statistics reveal some facts and issues faced by the users in parking are:
- Studies from IBM identified that 30% of the urban’s traffic is contributed by drivers searching for parking.
- Americans on average spend 17 hours a year searching for parking that results in a cost of US $345 per delivery in wasted time, fuel and emissions.
Fortunately, a parking app development idea is good enough to invest in it if it solves the problems. The latest mobile technologies from mobile app development companies have provided the best solutions. Parking mobile apps help the user to save users time as well as their money and also provides a good value proposition to the people who are poising with the parking problems.
How does the parking mobile app work?
If you are planning to build a valuable parking mobile app venture, you must first get a hold of how it would work for the user. Parking mobile app users follow these simple steps to book parking slots for their vehicle in no time:
Here are the six steps to follow:
Step #1 – Search:
The users with the help of parking reservation mobile app uses GPS to enter the details of their vehicle location or by entering manually which helps them to locate the nearest available spot for parking their vehicles.
Step #2 – Compare:
The on-demand parking app provides its user with a range of parking options to choose from. The user then can compare the price and distance from the vehicle location and apply the filter to find the perfect parking slot.
Step #3 – Book the Spot:
Once the driver or vehicle owner fixes the place, the driver can book their selected parking spot and then get a passcode for the same.
Step #4 – Payment:
The user will be provided with either of the options such as payment through card or pay by cash later.
Step #5 – Driveaway:
The parking app has in-built navigational assistance to drive away to the parking spot.
Step #6 – Vehicle parking:
The using the navigation the driver can drier the vehicle to the allotted slot to park the vehicle.
From the points mentioned above, it was clear that you have a clear idea of how parking mobile apps works, now let us discuss the business model of the mobile parking app.
What is the business model of parking mobile app systems?
To ensure successful parking app development, start by analyzing your competitors’ business models in the segment and then the cost. Generally, parking mobile apps are developed based on three popular business models, including:
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Booking and navigation based:
This business model is widely used in parking mobile app development. Users can find and book parking spaces in advance. In this the in-built navigation functionality allows the users to drive the vehicle to the parking slot. Users have multiple payment options like card, cash, or digital gateways. They also receive navigational assistance when leaving the parking slot.
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Complete parking service:
This is a full valet parking solution app which takes all the hurdles of all parking woos of its users. The user will register with the app and can pre-book the parking space in a location of their choice and also can book for the time they require the parking. A valet comes to take the vehicle keys from the users and parks it at the chosen place. Once the time for parking completes, the valet brings back the vehicle to the owner and gives back the keys to the owner. In this type, the user has given the option to access the valet credentials and review details.
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Navigation-based:
This is a type on-demand parking mobile app which provides its users to find the parking space near their vehicle location. In this parking mobile app, the user will not be given the option to pre-book the space. This type of parking mobile apps will significantly help in finding the parking space in a crowded parking area.
Now after discussing the most popular business models of parking mobile app system, now let us know how the mobile parking apps generate its revenue
How do parking mobile apps earn money, or what is the business revenue model of parking mobile apps?
Improved user experience determines the success of any business model that it provides to its users. Which, in turn, accountable for growth in the generation of revenue. For a parking mobile app, there are four types of revenue generation methods such as:
- Rewards points: One way to make money through a mobile parking app is by providing users with reward points for the continuous use of parking services through the parking mobile app. This will attract the potential user base to the app, which ensures the sustained revenue collection.
- The commission per booking: This is one of the significant revenue-generating sources for a mobile parking app.The parking owner charges users for each space booking made via the app. A commission fee is then paid to the app owner.
- Parking owner marketing and branding: In order to get your parking lot booked, you need to carry some sort of marketing campaigns. The parking mobile app owner can charge a certain amount for the parking owners for giving them priority listing on your parking app.
- Subscriptions: This is another primary revenue-generating sources of parking mobile app. You can offer users subscription options for monthly plans, allowing for advanced bookings and eliminating the need for payment with each use of the parking app.
Now, it was clear that the possible ways to make money using the parking mobile app venture. Let us now know about the typical features of parking mobile apps.
Typical features of a parking mobile app development
To develop a parking mobile app, ensure it adds value to daily commuters by implementing user-friendly features. This helps navigate crowded parking areas and identify spaces quickly. For any successful parking mobile app, there are three major stakeholders involved in the development process, such as:
- User app
- Parking owner app
- Admin panel
User App:
The user app of the parking mobile app will help the users search for the parking location nearby and book the same with just a few clicks. To give the user a seamless experience, you need to include the following features in the user app.
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Registration:
The user can register to the app using their social media account or using their personal mail id.
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Location tracking:
The parking mobile app integrates navigation features for users to track their vehicle’s location and estimate distances to booked parking spaces. Additionally, users can tag favorite parking spots for future bookings.
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Search option:
Users can locate parking spaces in specific areas, cities, and choose the most suitable option for their needs.
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Estimated time:
Using this feature, the user will be provided with the estimated time of arrival and departure from the parking slot. Based on this, the user will be charged.
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Booking option:
This is the major feature in the parking mobile app, using which the user can pre-book or book in demand the parking slot before reaching the place. Providing the user with price comparison allows the user to opt for the best suitable parking space under his budget.
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Payment methods:
In the parking reservation app development, the user has given the option to pay using multiple payment options which includes cash, card or other digital payment gateways.
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Parking History:
This feature in the smart parking app system lets the users view all and most frequently used parking spots and pay for the same. This may help the user to utilise the parking history and book the same spot again.
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Review and rate:
In order to have the maximum user engagement, review and rating feature will help you the best possible way. This will help the user to book a particular space based on the reviews and ratings.
Parking owner app:
The parking owner app allows the parking space owners to receive the booking requests and if accepted, get complete access to the information about the parking spot they need to allot. Here are some features to get integrated in the parking owner app:
- Registration: The parking owner gets registered to the app using the social media account or email id.
- Add parking slots: The owner can add parking slots available in the area.
- Manage pricing: Using this feature, the parking owner manages the price charged for the parking slot based on total time and the demand for the spot. Even the charge may vary based on the type of vehicle.
- Check bookings: The parking owner can monitor booking activity in their parking area, allowing them to accept or reject user requests accordingly.
- Accept payment: The parking owner gets the payment for the admin through multiple payment gateway providers for every booking for a parking slot in his parking area.
- Review and rating: The parking owner can view the reviews and ratings to enhance user satisfaction for their service.
Admin Panel:
The admin panel of a parking app design is a web application which is used to manage the operational side of the user and parking owner app. It gives the overview of the app features functioning, payment clearance and helps in utilizing users data for marketing activities. Some of the features of the parking reservation app are:
- Manage users: The admin oversees user activities, including user count, transaction history, and payment details, ensuring a seamless parking experience.
- Manage parking area: Here, the admin manages the parking owner activities like registration, charges etc.
- Manage bookings: With this feature, the admin can manage user bookings for parking spaces on-demand, set booking prices, and monitor available parking spots.
- Manage payments: The admin can manage payments based on vehicle type, track user payments, deduct costs, and process final payments to parking owners.
- Manage offers: The admin manages the offers and discounts on the bookings made by the user, which adds more user base to the parking reservation app.
Apart from this above mentioned must-have features for the parking app design and development, which helps you to stand out in the app market. This can gain a loyal user base. Some advanced features will increase user engagement in the app.
Advanced features of a smart parking app system
- Push notifications
- Heat map
- Multiple language support
- Waiting list
Now that you have understood the features of the smart parking app gives its users let us move to technology stack used for the development of the parking reservation mobile app.
Technology stack of the parking app design
Consider the technology stack crucial for parking app development. Analyze the stack used by parking app developers in India and the UK.
- Google analytics
- Twilio
- G Suite
- Zendesk
- Zopim
- Stripe, PayPal
- Android – Java
- iOS – Objective – C
- Backend – PHP
For a successful parking mobile app, start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and incorporate additional features as it gains popularity. This approach balances cost and growth potential effectively.
Let us go ahead to see how much does it cost for the development of parking app
How much does it cost for the development of a parking app?
Determining the cost for parking mobile app development is challenging due to factors like client requirements, business model, features, and technology stack.
Conclusion
The car parking app must provide all the essential features for the users. Running such a business is complex, demanding precise data on parking facilities and ensuring smooth user interactions. Developing a thriving parking app entails assessing factors like business model, target audience, market growth, revenue streams, and user experience.
Are you planning for the development of a parking mobile app? We Krify are here to help you to build a robust parking mobile app in the market. You can contact us for any queries related to the development of parking mobile apps. Share your exact requirements with parking mobile app development, experts in our team will do their best to bring your ideas into realization.
