Posted: July, 12, 2022 9:28AM ET • 2 min read

Parking is a service that is often overlooked but indisputably essential for every brick-and-mortar business. With the right parking control system in place, parking is a significant source of revenue generation that many organizations rely on to fuel their business.

But what makes a parking program important to a business? With cars being the chosen method of transportation for many, it is almost inherent for an establishment to provide its patrons with a place to park. More often than not, when customers arrive at their destination, the last thing they want to think about is finding a place to park. Parking is considered a must-have amenity that many customers will leave or avoid a business if parking is not readily available. This is a behaviour that property managers and business owners alike should be taking into consideration.

Although parking is imperative for organizations of all sizes within every sector, this holds especially true for commercial and retail-focused businesses. In these industries, it is commonly argued that the first rule to success is having an easy-to-reach or central location. However, it often goes unspoken that parking is the next most crucial component when retaining a returning customer base.

When a consumer is seeking somewhere to find their desired products or services, both the business's location and the parking availability imply convenience and efficiency, playing a significant role in the customer's decision-making process. A convenient location with insufficient or overcrowded parking makes it difficult for customers to visit. In contrast, a good location with a large, accessible parking area can often generate more revenue than the former.

We've all heard the age-old saying that "you never get a second chance to make a great first impression," and it's evident that statement is relevant to any business that depends on customers to stay afloat. Parking is the first touchpoint a customer has with a business. When the interaction is easy and convenient, the customer experience starts positively.

On the other hand, a poor parking experience can make customers frustrated from the onset. Relative to space layout, noise level, or indoor climate control, parking is an integral part of the customer experience that can infringe on the quality of a business and a customer's willingness to return.

References

Tse, B. (2020, Dec 16). Are you running a successful parking operation? Parking Industry. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-management/are-you-running-a-successful-parking-operation

ParkLink, P. (2020, Oct 1). Ultimate Guide to running a successful parking operation. Parking Industry. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-management/ultimate-guide-to-running-a-successful-parking-operation

Powell, J. (2020, September 3). How to manage a parking lot 101. Parking Industry. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-management/how-to-manage-a-parking-lot-101