How to Set Up Google G Suite and Why Use It
Google G Suite, formerly known as Google Apps for Work, has more going for it than a catchier name. G Suite helps millions of businesses take control of their operations with a range of easy-to-use tools. You can use G Suite with a free personal account, but G Suite for business is where companies all over the globe are finding ways to streamline their communications and online functions.
Let’s take a look at what G Suite is, how much it costs, and how to get set up in a few easy steps.
What is Google G Suite?
Google G Suite is a collection of interlinked applications that can power your daily business operations. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a sole trader or a large corporation, because everybody can benefit from G Suite.
G Suite’s key selling point is that everything is linked, making it easy to use the suite of apps efficiently. Here’s a few of the most popular apps included.
G-Mail: Perhaps the most well-known function, and where it all began. Get all of your employees hooked up with their own email address. You want to be professional, so your address doesn’t have to be @gmail.com like a personal account. You can use your own business email domain.
Google Drive: This is the hub of all your business documentation, and the cloud storage function within G Suite. Store and manage important documents easily, such as Word documents and Spreadsheets.
Google Docs: The Docs, Sheets and Slides function link in with Google Drive. You control the sharing options for every document and it allows authorised users to collaborate easily on single documents. It’s essentially your normal Word, Excel and Powerpoint functions, but easily accessible without using the individual apps.
Calendar: The Google calendar is a great function. It works efficiently with G-Mail to schedule meetings, invite attendees, and also manage and delegate tasks and deadlines. It can even link up with popular smartphone calendars to ensure business and personal appointments can be managed together.
Hangouts: Google’s business communications tool. It supports messaging, but also phone and videoconferencing. For business customers, Hangouts can support a range of great functions like calendar integration, live streams, and it works on mobile and desktop devices.
There’s also plenty of other functions, such as Forms which allows polls, surveys and quizzes. Sites is Google’s website builder, and Keep is a handy note-taking tool.
How Much Does G Suite for Business Cost?
Google offers three subscription levels for G Suite’s business customers:
Basic: $8.40 per user, per month. You get the main functions with 30GB storage space
Business: $16.80 per user, per month. This is the enhanced office suite with unlimited storage (or 1TB with less than 5 users)
Enterprise: $34.00 per user, per month. Premium office suite, also unlimited storage, and a range of premium reporting and analysis tools.
How to Set Up G Suite for Business
If you’re convinced G Suite can help your business, here’s how to get set up. Best of all, it’s extremely easy!
- Head to G Suite’s homepage, and click the ‘Start Free Trial’ button. You’ll be given a 14-day trial to make sure you can get value out of the applications. You’ll be asked to fill out some details such as business name and number of employees. You can always change this if you need to later.
- Next comes your contact information, which is self-explanatory. Just make sure your email is active because there will be a confirmation process.
- The next page asks about your business domain. If you already have a domain name (your website domain), enter it here. If you don’t already have a domain, G Suite will even help you find and purchase one. They’re cheap at around $12 per year if you buy through Google.
- After filling out your business address information, you’ll be required to choose a username. Be sure to choose something relevant and easy to remember, because you’ll use it to sign in. The username also forms the first section of your Google business email address, so keep it professional!
- Finally, review all of your information, choose your pricing plan (as discussed above), and enter payment information. You can also choose to automatically renew your subscription or not.
You’re all set up and ready to make the most of Google G Suite!
Looking for More Help Getting Your Business Moving?
BDM Media are experts across all fields of digital marketing and can help take your business to the next level. Our experienced, highly skilled team work with you to find the best marketing solutions for your business. Whether you need help getting your online presence established through website development or gaining exposure through tailored marketing campaigns, we’re here to help. We can even help you get your business running smoothly with Google G Suite! Contact BDM Media today to see how we can help to grow your business today.