Not having an email address set up for your business is a lot like not having a phone number. You could try it, but I don’t know anyone who would recommend it. Worse still is having a business email address that doesn’t function properly. But, there’s an easy, affordable solution – Gmail for business. This fantastic option is available through Google Apps.
What are Google Apps? Great question. Google offers a variety of tools to help your business. These include:
- Google Drive (file storage space on the internet)
- Google Calendar (a web based option for keeping track of your schedule)
- Gmail (a comprehensive communication tool)
How does Gmail for business work? The same way your personal Gmail account works. With Gmail you have tons of storage, 25GB to be exact. Gmail also gives you the ability to text, voice, and video chat with other Gmail users making communication fast and personal.
But, I want my email to be at my own domain name, not Google’s? We do too! And you can. The Gmail App for your business, allows you to pick your own email address to match your business’s name or web domain: you@yourcompany.com
Are there any drawbacks? Yes, but they are nominal. The main thing of which to be aware: when you make the move to Gmail, your previous email history doesn’t make the move with you automatically. Google gives you three options to make the migration: forwarding, importing, and fetching. Google has a step by step guide that helps you determine which method to use at Google's support site .
Can I sync with my smart phone? Yep! And it’s easier than ever. Gmail operates on a different system than most email providers. The system Gmail uses allows two-way communication. This means any emailing you do on your phone is reflected on your computer and visa versa.
We’ve set up the Gmail App for several clients and have been using it for a few years now. If you have any questions about whether this would be a good fit for you, we’d be happy to point you in the right direction.
Dave Winsor with PC Consulting regularly works with businesses to get their email transferred. You can reach him at 206.675.0579.
