"Googlesphere" Fundamentals

This is the second in a series of posts regarding the "Operational" aspects of small to medium (SMB) businesses - and our recommendation to Embrace the "Googlesphere". We introduced this topic in our recent post - https://www.doggonegoodtech.com/embrace-the-googlesphere- .

Google has re-branded it's suite of apps a couple of times now - first just referred to as Google Apps, then as G-Suite, and most recently as Google Workspace. Regardless of the name, this is a collection of web-based software products that are integrated with one another. Think of it as the modern version of when you used to have to buy and install Microsoft Office on your individual computer. Online "Office Suites" are a game changer for productivity of both individuals and teams.

The best part is that most of the actual functionality of these apps are available for FREE with a simple Gmail account. FREE is good, and another reason we say "Embrace the Googlesphere"! So, what's the difference between FREE access to these apps and a PAID version of Google Workspace? Well, to start with, the PAID Workspace Account costs you anywhere from $6 to $18 dollars/user/month, while the FREE Google Account is, well, FREE! So, what do you get with the PAID version?

Essentially three things:

1. With a PAID Google Workspace Account you get full "business email accounts". So, for example, if you own "Smith Upholstery" and you have a website at www.smithupholstery.com you can have email addresses using your business' website domain, such as Frank@smithupholstery.com or Eloise@smithupholstery.com. With a FREE Google Account, your email address has to use the gmail.com domain, so you might use SmithUpholstery@gmail.com for example. Some regard the use of FREE gmail accounts as "amateurish" whereas true "business email accounts" as reflective of a "real" business. If you're OK with having all incoming email to your business going to a single email address, we can show you how to use a generic "info@smithupholstery.com" email address for FREE without having to pay for "business email accounts".
2. A PAID Google Workspace Account allows you to have multiple email addresses in the same account. Each different email address is a "user" and will incur a separate monthly charge ranging from $6 to $18. In contrast a FREE Google Account only has one email address with a "@gmail.com" extension.
3. A PAID Google Workspace Account does provide a few more apps and a greater amount of storage than a FREE Google Account. But if you're a cost-conscious SMB - especially if you're just starting out - we don't think you'll be overly hindered by either of these limitations. The additional apps are truly optional, and even the FREE Google Account gives you 15GB of storage space - more than enough for many. If you do need additional storage, you can purchase it at a VERY reasonable rate for your FREE Google Account.

So what's up next in our exploration of "The Googlesphere"? Well, we'll first explore the "core" Office Suite - Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Email. How does it compare to what you're already familiar with in "stand-alone" products, and what are the advantages? Are there any drawbacks?

After that we'll delve into some of the lesser know - but extremely useful - Google Apps that can (for free) make a huge difference in your personal and business productivity and results. Stay tuned.