How Can Parking Barriers Improve Your Business

From improving the aesthetics of your parking lot to providing secure access control, parking barriers are an excellent choice for many types of properties. Parking barriers also help keep cars from unauthorized parking and can improve the overall efficiency of your business.

So, let’s check out how exactly you can make better use of your parking lot and boost your business!

What types of parking barriers are available?

There are several options for your parking lot protection, and we have listed the three most popular for your business - automatic barriers, gate barriers and manual barriers. 

Automatic parking barriers

Automatic parking barriers are a more “sophisticated” version of manual ones, and a lot more practical to use. They are easily installed, and some of them don’t even require electricity since they run on rechargeable batteries. What’s best, there’s no need for you to get out of the car each time to lower the barrier to park the car - instead, you can control the barrier remotely, either with a smartphone or a keyfob. Another great feature that certain automatic parking barriers offer is a digital key-sharing option. This means that you are able to give access to anyone you want just by sending them the barrier keys in digital form to their email address so they can use them on their smartphones. You can either give them unlimited access or restrict it to a specific period. 

Also read: Top 9 Automatic Parking Barriers - Review Guide

Boom gate barriers

Automatic parking gate barriers are typically used in large lots where there is a high volume of traffic. Boom gate barriers are more expensive than the other two options, but they can protect a larger parking area. They also have a lot of benefits. For example, they can be set to only open at certain times of day (such as during business hours) or when certain conditions are met (such as when an employee swipes their badge). It is also possible to completely automate the gate opening and closing thanks to the automatic number plate recognition system. This solution utilizes an AI-based system that detects license plates and grants parking lot access. Once these license plates have been "whitelisted" in the system, the boom gate will automatically open as the vehicle approaches.

Also read: Top 10 Automatic Boom Barriers - Review Guide

Manual parking barriers

Manual parking barriers are the most common type of barrier used in parking lots. They are the least expensive and easiest to install, but they can also be the most difficult to use. Manual parking barriers are usually set up on concrete or asphalt and have to be opened and closed by hand so that cars can get in and out of your lot. On the other hand, they don't require electricity or special installation equipment, so they can be installed anywhere there's a need for them. These barriers often come with a locking mechanism that allows only authorized employees access. However, it's important to note that these types of manual barricades may not be sturdy enough for high-traffic areas such as corporate parking lots. 

What are the benefits of installing a parking barrier?

First and foremost, they keep people from illegally accessing your parking lot. Aside from that, they also make your property look more professional. Also, parking barriers can help make sure that only your customers or employees can use your parking lot. This helps you manage the traffic flow and keeps unauthorized drivers from using your parking spaces.

Finally, parking barriers are highly cost-effective and easy to install, so there's no reason not to give them a try! And we will give you six reasons why you should think about their implementation.

1. More Professional Image

Parking barriers improve the image of your business in two ways. First, they give it a more positive public impression when people see that you have adequate parking for your customers. This makes them think highly of you and is an indication that you care about their needs.

Second, they offer parking spaces right in front of your business, which makes it easier for customers to access your shop and reduces the likelihood that they will choose a competitor instead. If you add extra security to those spots designated for people with disabilities, then you can be sure that they will always think of your business as the most accessible one.

2. Improved Security

Parking barriers can improve your business's security in several ways.

First, they can help control access to your property. If you have limited parking spaces and want to make sure that only the people who actually work for your company are allowed to park there, parking barriers can keep unauthorized drivers out. They also make it harder for criminals to break into cars, which reduces the chances that they'll damage your property or steal something valuable from someone's car. Closed parking lots are less appealing to criminals because they give the impression of being more monitored.

Automatic gate barriers are also beneficial for areas with high traffic, such as shopping centers. They are robust and able to withstand long operations, even during power outages. Automatic gates are particularly effective when combined with additional security measures, such as detection cameras. This way, you will always be aware of the number of parked vehicles in your parking lot, as well as when they enter and exit, enabling you to effectively manage the parking lot.

3. Happier Employees

By having a parking barrier installed in front of the entrance to your business, you'll make it easy for employees to come and go without worrying about where they're going to park their vehicles. As a business owner, your primary goal should always be employee satisfaction. If you give them a safe place to park, their overall performance will be better because they won't have to worry about finding a spot and will be more relaxed when they get to work. You can either install individual automatic parking barriers and share digital keys with your employees or install an automatic gate barrier. If you choose the latter, you can automate the entrance for your employees by implementing a license-plate reading system.

4. Self-serve Parking Lot Revenue Collection

When you have a self-serve parking lot, it means that customers are in control of the payment process. It also means that you don’t need a cashier to handle the payment process, so you save money in the long term. By installing a gate barrier and a payment terminal, you can strategically make the best use of your parking lot. You should always provide free parking spaces for your customers - however, you can limit free parking spaces to 2-3 hours. After that, you can set the price for every additional hour of stay. By implementing this system, you can also prevent non-customers from taking advantage of your parking lot.

5. More Efficient Parking Lot Management

You might think that properly managing a parking lot is just a matter of putting up some signs and marking some lines on the asphalt, but if you really want to optimize your parking lot, you need to have the right equipment. When people don't know where to park or how many spaces are available, they can end up circling around and looking for somewhere else to park. This can result in wasted time and gas—and frustrated customers!

A good way to improve the efficiency of your parking lot is by installing parking barriers and a parking management system. The barriers will ensure that there's always room for customers as they enter and exit your facility, whether it's during peak hours or off-hours. They'll also help prevent illegal parking so that employees don't have to worry about whether they’ll have an available parking space left when they arrive at work. And when you add a good parking management system that lets you control all your parking products from one place, you won't have to worry about anything else.

6. Better Branding

Branding is one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to any business. The way you present yourself and your products or services needs to be consistent so that customers know what they're getting when they walk in the door. Not only do they improve your business's visibility and increase the likelihood that your customers will find you, but they also help you get noticed by potential customers who are passing by. A parking barrier can help you brand your business in a way that adds value to your brand while also providing security for both employees and customers.

How easy is it to install a parking barrier?

Parking barriers are easier to install than most people think. The majority of parking barriers are simply bolted onto the existing pavement. Of course, every situation is different, but as long as your barrier installations are properly planned and installed by a respected provider, it should not take more than 15 minutes per installation. 

For automatic gate barriers, the process of installation takes a bit longer, but it is all in proper preparation. Pouring the concrete into the foundation pit and providing a base plate for gate barriers is always a safe move for stability. For example, the foundation plate for the automatic gate barrier should also have concreted-in anchors. This provides adequate support and sturdiness for the gate.

It’s never late to invest in adequate parking protection

Parking barriers are a great way to maximize your parking space and can improve your business at the same time. They are easy to set up, secure, cost-effective, and user-friendly. As such, it is easy to see why more businesses are using these parking barriers. They help you save space and allow you to improve your overall business image. If you are looking for a way to decrease costs and increase revenue for your business, then these parking barriers will help you achieve this goal.