Everybody needs a place to park when they leave their home with their car. By opening a parking lot business, you give these people a place to keep their vehicle while they go about their activities. Though a potentially lucrative venture, it requires good planning and marketing to pull off. Here are some tips to run a successful parking lot business.
You definitely won’t own the only parking lot in the city. One thing you can do to attract customers to your lot is offer clear, competitive pricing. If you can offer spots for a few dollars an hour cheaper than your competitors, you’ll be golden.
Additionally, be clear in your pricing. Customers get annoyed by click-bait pricing strategies, such as a large-font “5 dollars” above a small-font “for the first half hour.” This might get people in your lot the first time, but they likely won’t come back.
Also, your price doesn’t have to remain fixed. During holidays or city festivals, you can charge more. After all, space is at a premium, and you have the goods!
Good security protects both you and your customers. Invest in the following:
All of these aspects matter and will contribute to a safer lot that customers will want to return to. Just make sure you follow the relevant state and city regulations when setting up your security measures. For example, you should keep your city’s requirements in mind before installing barrier arm gates.
A well-maintained parking lot is a reflection of your business’s professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction. Every day, clear out litter and make sure the signage and lighting look presentable. Repaint the parking lines when it becomes necessary. Fill in potholes and pavement cracks if those occur. Basically, you want people to look at your parking lot from the street and not think, “That looks sketchy.”
Finally, your parking lot won’t be full of customers if they don’t know about it! You can’t count on a thriving business based on people driving by and pulling into your lot on a whim.
Set up bold, clear signage with legible fonts and bright colors to ensure visibility both day and night. Position your signs strategically at key traffic points to guide drivers toward your lot. Display your competitive pricing (and any relevant promotions) to catch attention quickly.
These tips to run a successful parking lot business encompass all aspects, from pricing to security and marketing. By adopting these strategies, you enhance both the operational efficiency and reputation of your parking lot, ensuring a thriving business that stands out in the competitive marketplace.