What Do You Need to Consider When Launching a Mobile Parking App?
4 min read
Updated: Sept 2025
Author: Emmanuel Lereno, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Precise ParkLink
Mobile parking apps have revolutionized the parking and mobility industry, enabling customers to do more than just pay for parking, all from their mobile devices. The challenge? The multitude of mobile parking apps available makes it more challenging to stand out in an overly saturated market, resulting in a decline in users and revenue.
If you are a digital services program manager looking to offer a mobile parking app at your parking facility, you’ve come to the right place. Here are four features your mobile parking app should include.
Integrate mobile scan-to-pay for payment flexibility.
Today’s customers expect fast, flexible, and contactless payment options. A mobile scan-to-pay option allows users to complete transactions with just a few taps. 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 the advantage goes deeper. 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.
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 allows you to create a more personalized experience for your visitor and process everything they need from the moment they park, arrive at their destination, and everything in between.
Whether it's as simple as pre-booking a spot or offering customer-specific integrations, such as car services, electric vehicle charging, and valet parking, there is no limit to what you can offer— it’s just a matter of bringing it to fruition.
Process parking validations for increased customer retention.
Customer retention often starts with creating memorable and rewarding experiences. Enabling promo code validations in-app makes it easy to offer discounts or complimentary parking to returning customers, event attendees, and more. This not only incentivizes repeat visits but also allows you to track and measure engagement for specific campaigns or programs.
Provide mobile parking permits for instant access.
The traditional workday has evolved into one that offers employees flexibility, convenience, and choice, and so should your parking solutions. 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 palm of their hands. When considering an investment in a mobile parking app, remember to develop or select a solution that meets 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