With the increasing number of cars on the road, finding a parking spot has become a time-consuming task. Cars abound in every parking lot, much to the dismay of the drivers. To find a parking spot, one must go around the parking lot multiple times.
To help car drivers overcome this difficulty, IT has supplied an excess of assistance by providing them with car parking finder smartphone apps that direct them to vacant locations where they can park their automobiles.
The Car Parking Finder App: An Overview
Before you invest your time and money in creating parking finding mobile app, you need to understand how it works. Without a prior understanding of app development companies that specialize in creating parking-finding apps, the application may suffer. Only the strongest will be able to compete against well-known developers.
There are various processes that developers/companies must take while creating a parking finding app. These steps are listed below:
Making a business strategy for the parking app you’d like to create.
Installing and using similar apps to gain a feel for how things work in such apps is the greatest way to analyze the competition.
The most crucial step is to hire the right app developers for your project. These programmers should be familiar with developing such apps and should be able to complete them without too many interruptions or delays.
Companies should consider constructing MVP first, therefore deciding on the features they want to include during the initial phase of the application is critical.
In the development of an app, design is crucial. The simpler and less complicated the design, the easier it is to understand. Users should be able to reserve their spaces without having to navigate through a plethora of tabs and links.
Give your app a unique spin by including advanced features that help it stand out from the competition and attract more downloads.
A stagnant app that lacks growth, new features, or upgrades will not last long in the app store, as competitors will win the game. As a result, it’s critical not to be too rigid and to keep the app updated at all times.
Types of Parking Apps for Mobile Devices
Do you have plans to develop a mobile parking finding app in the near future but are unsure how the business will operate? Well, there are a variety of companies that may be conducted using these apps.
Table of Contents
The business categories of parking finder mobile apps are separated as follows.
1. Committed
This is the best option for companies since they can include only the most important features in the MVP without having to spend a lot of money. Users will be able to discover a parking spot closest to their vehicle using these applications, but they will not be able to make a reservation using their device.
2. Consolidated
This is a fully functional application with a wide range of choices. Users can go through the complete process of looking for a nearby car parking place and selecting the one that best meets their needs. Users can then book a place and pay for it online using the app. With the use of GPS and navigation functions, the software then assists the user in locating the place.
3. Parking App has a lot of features
In comparison to the business models outlined above, the cost of developing an application is substantially higher. It takes the experience to the next level by adding innovative features that set it apart from the competition and pique the users’ curiosity. This one allows users to request door-to-door service, as well as valet parking. This service is safe and secure because consumers are given full data of the drivers who are dropping off their cars at the valet, as well as images of their identity.
What are the functions of car parking spot finder apps?
These apps not only give drivers a solution for finding a parking spot for their car, but they also give them a hassle-free experience without having to constantly wandering around the parking lot looking for a spot. These apps have made life easier since they allow users to schedule a spot in advance, avoiding last-minute disruptions.
There are six steps to using parking finding applications to begin with. Take a look at the following procedures:
Searching: To begin, users use the app to locate their automobile using the GPS or by entering the address they are currently at.
Comparing: After that, the customers search for available parking spots and compare which one best meets their needs based on price and distance.
Third, the car’s driver reserves a parking spot for himself and gains access to it using a unique code.
Payments are made entirely online. The fourth step is to pay for the reserved parking spot.
Driving: The software then uses navigation to assist drivers in reaching their destination. This contributes to a smooth parking experience.
The final step is to park the car in the spot that the driver has designated.
Why should you consider purchasing Car Parking Finder Mobile Apps?
Also Read: Estimated cost & features of Car Parking Finder Mobile App
People don’t want to waste time looking for parking spots, therefore parking finder mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular. The app developers are making a lot of money since these apps not only provide convenience to the users, but they also provide a sense of security. The positive feedback these apps have received from users demonstrates their success.
Take, for example, MKE Park, a parking locator app that operates in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. Since 2015, the app has received over 1,79,000 downloads. The app’s transactions increased from 6,518 per week in 2015 to 16,913 per week in 2018.
In the case of auto parking mobile apps, there is a lot of rivalry these days, and getting a new app to the top of the list is really challenging. However, one should be able to deliver outstanding features that set their software apart from the competition.
According to estimates, those hunting for parking spots account for about 30% of all traffic on the highways.
It’s past time for automobile owners to start using these applications to reserve parking spaces. Similarly, mobile app creators and owners should start thinking about how to make money from their apps.
Global Smart Car Parking Market Size 2018 – 2023 (in US bn)
According to a Statista analysis, the worldwide smart parking market will develop at an exponential rate from 2018 to 2023. It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 14% to almost $ 3.8 billion by 2023.
The global auto parking market size in 2019 was USD 2608.6 million, according to another report – Global “Car Parking System Market” Research Report, 2020-2026 – and is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 4.2 percent by 2026, reaching USD 3490.4 million.
In the case of car parking finding apps, the importance of geography coverage and parking time
Before entering the sector, it is critical to consider the strengths and weaknesses of your competition. Before being released, these parking apps might be segmented in a variety of ways.
Before entering the industry, there are two paths that all companies should examine. Examine the following two tracks:
- Concentrate on localizations.
Parking locator apps in this category include a coverage space in a specific megalopolis. They aim to include indoor and on-street parking in their apps and give assistance for both. This is confined to a single setting.
- Concentrate on geographical expansion.
A parking app provider’s services are not confined to a specific location or state under this category. This one contains services that are available in a variety of countries and cities. The Park Right app, for example, provides services in over 1,000 locations around the world.
This is divided into two categories, with parking owners having the option of include both in their app.
Reserve parking ahead of time
Users can book a parking spot in this category of on-demand parking finder apps well in advance of their want to park in that location. Apps in this category notify users about parking reservations they have made at a certain location.
On the fly parking
Then there are apps that provide users with a customized experience, such as the ability to schedule a parking spot while on the go. They can enter their location and receive notifications about available parking spots at the same time.
What is the revenue model for parking spot finder apps?
There are numerous ways for parking finding mobile apps to generate revenue. App developers make a lot of money on these apps, just like they do on all other apps. Because of its reach and availability, more downloads will help enterprises make more income. These apps have not only improved users’ parking experiences, but have taken it a step further by making the entire procedure easier. Consider how these apps make money:
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Payment of commissions
This is one of the most lucrative methods and has shown to be a significant money generator. Commissions work in a simple way: a user books a parking spot through the app, and the parking owner charges him a fair amount of money. Despite the fact that 100% of the money goes to the parking owners, the parking app owners receive a portion of each booking. As a result, the app’s proprietors profit from each booking made through the app.
Highlighted Listing
These mostly concern the car parking owners’ marketing and branding. This money is unquestionably the extra coin that can be made through one’s application. The app’s proprietors operate specific marketing campaigns on their landing pages, allowing park owners to purchase space to promote their brand and company name. For featured listings on pages of these marketing initiatives, parking owners are charged a fee.
Promotional materials
This is now a typical method of generating revenue for practically all mobile applications development company. They rent out space on their applications to other brands related with automobile parking, such as car dealerships and car service centres. This media generates a significant amount of revenue.
Parking plans based on a subscription
This could be a way for you to make extra money with the software. The app can offer users monthly or annual subscriptions, in which they must pay a set sum at the start of each month or year to receive specific membership perks and make parking reservations in advance. This also assists consumers in avoiding parking lineups and delays.
Points for loyalty
To maintain income and keep customers attached to your app, you must ensure that they receive some sort of reward for their devotion in some way. This assures a long-term relationship between the user and the app, as well as a steady stream of money for the parking finder mobile app.
Things to Stay Away From When Starting a Car Parking App Business
Certain aspects of your parking finder mobile app may irritate customers, prompting them to uninstall it and replace it with another app as soon as possible. As a result, before releasing these apps, app developers should thoroughly examine each feature. The following are some frequent faults that parking locator apps should avoid:
Filtering that is inconvenient
When comparing pricing and looking at the available options, a user must enter his information and preferences while filtering. However, if a user selects filters and then clicks on the garage’s details before returning to the page, it will be inconvenient for the user to enter his information again if the information is lost. As a result, it’s critical to safeguard the search filters to avoid information duplication.
Incorrect reservation rates
Allow no inconsistencies in the app’s services. Any changes to the price of a parking spot should be displayed accurately in an app, as they may have an impact on the app’s reputation. The user should only be able to see the parking area’s actual charges.
Choices are limited
A parking app should be able to provide users with a big number of parking places. It’s possible that limiting the number of parking spaces will be a burden. Owners of parking apps should always strive to develop their business so that users may have a better experience and a wider range of options when choosing a parking spot for their vehicle.
Insufficient information
A parking finding app should have all of the information about garages and other relevant information. Users may lose trust in the programme if it lacks all of this information, as they may not find it dependable or valuable in the long run. Extra services, images, the address, contact information, and other vital information should all be included in the information.
App design
If an app’s design is confused, it may not be able to appeal to users. A long and tedious registration process may cause the user to lose interest early on, resulting in the app being uninstalled.
How do you get more people to use your parking app?
It is critical for any app to have a large user base as a foundation in order to reach great success. Consider the following suggestions for attracting a high number of users:
Provide incentives
In today’s world, consumers are constantly on the lookout for deals and bonuses, as well as some form of reward for using the app. Users should be able to barter and obtain loyalty points in exchange for a long-term relationship. Users should be able to participate in referral schemes to attract new users to the app.
Collaborating with huge corporations
To build a stronger foundation, broaden your service horizons to include retail delivery suppliers. This will allow your company’s retail business owners to keep track of their fleet and manage their expenses.
Forming alliances with shopping complexes
By signing a deal with complex owners and commercial malls to manage their parking needs and business, you may build a legitimate customer base. This will increase the number of unique users who download your software.
Apps for Parking Cars That Are Popular
BestParking
This is a wonderful auto parking place locator app that works in many locations across North America. Pre-booking for a specified date and time is one of the useful advantages. On iOS, it has a 4.8/5 rating with 24.3K ratings. It’s also compatible with Android.
ParkingPanda
Another excellent auto parking app that operates in the United States, Canada, Chicago, and a number of other places. It has a 4.7/5 rating on iOS with 3.2K ratings and is also available on Android.
Make a parclick
Parclick can assist you in finding parking spots in over 250 European cities. A user can reserve a parking spot for a specific date and time and for an extended amount of time. Users that use the parking space search service on a regular basis can take advantage of subscription-based discounts. This app is available on both Android and iOS.
Parkopedia
This software provides car parking spot discovery services in 15,000 locations throughout the world, with a total of 70 million parking spaces. Is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Users can utilise an easy-to-use navigation Ui to find unoccupied parking places.
ParkMe
Another auto parking software that allows users to view all of the fees that they will be charged if they choose a specific parking location. ParkMe is available in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Features to Include in a Car Parking App in General
User Control Panel
Login / Register
Allow the system to track the location of the car.
Look for a pickup location.
Enter your estimated arrival and departure times to make a parking reservation.
Immediately book
Return of the vehicle
Manage your parking payment history and options in your user profile
Parking spot ratings and reviews
Admin Panel
User Management in the
Revenue Management
Earnings are managed by the driver management.
Approve/Disapprove Driver Profiles
A Driver Bookings Manager can be added or removed, and offers can be managed.
Reports on New Locations
Parker Panel
Login/SignUp
Documents that prove your identity are required.
Customers should be contacted
Customers must pay you.
Examine Customer Reviews and Ratings
Accept or reject a request for parking.
Car Parking App to Include Advanced Features
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Scorecard
The costs of parking spaces available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis are listed on the rate card for the services. This allows people to make more informed selections when purchasing a package.
Tracking of vehicles
The software incorporates GPS tracking, which allows users to track their vehicle’s whereabouts. The software also ensures that the right parking space is available for the user’s vehicle.
Suggestion for a nearby location
This function locates users and provides open parking spaces in the area. If a user is unable to find a close available parking spot, the app will recommend adjacent parking areas.
Notification through push
This is one of the most important features of a parking finding app because it allows the administrator to send out notifications to users if they have any special offers, discounts, or other perks to give. Users are also advised via this medium of any changes to the parking place they have reserved prior to their parking time.
Several cities
When customers are on vacation or on business, an app should allow them to schedule parking spots in various cities.
There is a waiting list.
Users may have favourite parking places and may wish to park their automobile there every time they visit the location. As a result, customers should be able to specify the parking spot they like, and the app should alert them when the position becomes available.
Temperature graph
This is a highly handy feature that helps customers save time by displaying traffic on their route. The tool aids users in making selections about their trip to any location inside a metropolis.
Tagging a car’s location
With the aid of this feature, a user can register and save the location of their car parking spot. The location can then be shared via any of the app’s connected social media accounts.
Communication within the app
All mobile applications require communication, hence they should be coupled with in-app features to facilitate this. Users should be able to use this function to speak with or call customer service or valet workers without having to call them on the phone.
Support in Multiple Languages
This feature allows users to use the app in any language they like. People travelling from other countries can also utilise this software with their assistance.
Car Parking App Development Requires a Tech Stack
AWS is the cloud environment.
Debian: System of Operation
Nexmo provides SMS, voice, and phone verification.
Braintree and PayPal are the two payment methods available.
For mail-related issues: Mandrill
GWT is a powerful programming language.
Datastax is a company that specialises in data management.
Cassandra and MongoDB are two databases that can be used.
Twilio, Bandwidth, and Push Notifications
Spark, Apache, and Flink are real-time analytics tools.
The mobile app development team that is required
Getting the best team to work on developing a parking finder mobile app is critical. The professionals should have a lot of knowledge in this field and should be able to help you at any moment in the future. Consider the following team structure for developing a parking place locator app:
App developer for Android
UX/UI designers for iOS app development
Designers of graphics
QA experts and backend developers
Manager of the project
How much does it cost to create a mobile parking finding app?
The cost of building a parking finding app varies depending on the parts used and the functionality included. Take a look at the aspects that influence the application’s price:
Factors that influence the cost of car parking
Developers of Smart Car Parking Apps are located all over the world.
The geographical location of the app developers has a significant impact on the price of an app. The app owner can either employ a full-time development team or hire specialists on an hourly basis to build the app. Take a peek at the hourly rates for developers in various locations:
£80–£120 per hour for European developers
Developers in the United States earn between $ 140 and $ 260 per hour.
Developers in Eastern Europe get paid between $45 and $50 per hour.
Developers in Asia earn between $20 and $35 per hour.
Integrations with Third Parties
The amount of third-party service integrations required is another significant factor in the cost of mobile app development.
Optional Extras
Every parking software has some basic capabilities, but the more specific features you want to incorporate, the more the total cost will be. As a result, the cost of app development is determined by the amount of capabilities.
Project Timetable
This is also a big factor in the development costs. The bigger the total cost, the less time you require to develop the software.
So, if we total up the basic costs of a car parking app, it will cost somewhere between $ 8000 and $ 15000. It can cost between $ 18000 and $ 35000 to add special functionality to both the Android and iOS versions of your app.
Conclusion
If you want to design an on-demand parking searching app, there are a lot of aspects to consider. One of the fastest-growing businesses is automotive software development. New entrants have a lot of opportunity to conquer niche markets. Although you may expect an outstanding app, the end result can only be flawless if you choose the proper team of app developers who are experts in the same field to develop your app. It is one of the thriving industries that has a bright future.