Gmail vs. Gsuite

[Update: Gsuite has since been named Google Workspace.]

I find, in working with entrepreneurs daily, they want to keep costs to a minimum (which I fully agree with and do myself), however, they often opt to keep free system options that are not serving them well, rather go to a paid plan option. And this is certainly true with regard to Gmail vs. Gsuite. I’m embarrassed to say that I did not know all of the differences between Gmail & Gsuite for quite a long time. I knew many of the options available through Gsuite’s host of apps but did not know all of the benefits that come with it. To be completely honest, I have mostly worked from Gsuite for more than 8 or 9 years now. If you are like me, and simply signed up and never looked back, you may be unaware of the many benefits and the business value of Gsuite versus a (general) Gmail account. So, let’s take a look at Gmail vs. Gsuite.

Basic Gmail

What is Gmail and what does it do? Gmail is an individual email account with the ‘gmail.com’ ending. Many put their business name in front of it and think that it is a ‘professional business email’. An example would be if I used my domain name in front of ‘gmail.com’, like this: tammysoffices@gmail.com (do not email here as it does not exist). My website is www.fearlessbusinessboss.com and if I simply added my professional domain in front of the Gmail address, like this: fearlessbusinessboss@gmail.com – too many are using emails like just like this. It is simply not a very good option, nor does it look professional.

Let’s Talk Features

There is a number of apps included with a general individual Gmail account. Some of which are the following:

• An email account with the ‘@gmail.com’
• Google My Business
• Cloud storage up to 1 GB.
• Google Calendar
• Google Documents, such as sheets, slides, etc.
• YouTube Account

Gsuite [changed to Google Workspace]

Gsuite is a grouping of Google’s apps, including email services, that many of us use frequently. The advantage of having the email services here is that you can brand your email, using the domain name routed through Gmail with Gsuite. According to Brian Jackson, of Kinsta, they highly recommend Gsuite to all of their clients, “We primarily recommend G Suite for clients that are needing email hosting for their business. However, G Suite is much more than just email. It also includes a variety of apps and features that can come in quite handy. In fact, you’re probably already using or are familiar with some of them.”

To Be Professional or Not

Most entrepreneurs, however, know that the best professional email is one with your domain address as the ending. An example of this would be, info@fearlessbusinessboss.com as it shows that I have a website and I have email coming into the company through that domain. Having a ‘professional email’ also shows that I am a professional and want to be viewed professionally. Using this email also shows that I have a company with a website (among other things). Another benefit of a professional email with the domain as the ending is that it helps to build trust with prospective clients. I can honestly say that if I receive an email with gmail or hotmail or other ending, 9 out of 10 times I delete it right away. One other reinforcement that a professional email address gives is that it indicates that my business is not a hobby or passing thing if I am willing to spend the money on Gsuite (Google Workspace), as well as, a website, and other business expenses, shows I mean business.

A Few Benefits of Gsuite

• Professional email address showing your website
• Shows those you correspond with that you are a Business Owner
• Builds Trust with Prospective Clients
• Indicates that the Business is Not a Hobby & can be taken seriously

Anyone can obtain a general Gmail account and pick a name as long as it has not been taken, but in order to use your professional email account associated with your website, you will either have to know how to use the hosting company’s email provider or know how to set it up with Gsuite or our even Outlook account. I highly suggest using your Professional Email (with the domain ending, such as info@tammysoffices.com) account in all correspondence regarding your company business.

“There are many styles which you can use for professional email addresses. The style of the email address you select depends on the domain name you’ve registered for your business.

If you are using your company’s name for the domain name or your email address, you also need to mix and match it with your first name, last name, or initials or designation.”

Alyssa Walker at Guru99

Straight from Google’s Mouth

“With G Suite, you’ll receive a number of additional business-grade services not included with Google’s free consumer apps. These services include: custom business email @yourcompany, twice the amount of cloud storage across Gmail and Drive, 24/7 phone and email support, 99.9% guaranteed uptime on business email, interoperability with Microsoft Outlook, additional security options like two-step authentication and SSO, and administrative controls for user accounts.”

–Google Q & A

Apps with Gsuite

(Most have the word ‘Google’ in front of them, like ‘Google Maps’, ‘Google Calendar’, etc.)

• Maps
• Docs, Sheets, & Slides
• Calendar
• Drive (with additional storage)
• Search
• Groups
• Contacts
• Sites
• Google My Business
• YouTube
• Google Analytics
• Meet
• Forms
• Current
• Photos
• Admin
• News
• Google Ads
• Google Hangouts
• Cloud Search
• Keep
• Earth
• Task Management
• Mind Meister
• Your Integrations
• And More

The list of apps that are included with Gsuite keeps growing.

“One of the best things about G Suite is you basically get an enhanced ad-free version of the online email client you’re probably already using.” -Kinsta

Google Workspace, as you can imagine comes with a multitude of benefits and features, including access to Google’s support. Do not dismiss the importance of this as Google can not only integrate your domain within Google Workspace so that you can correspond professionally via your domain name but they can help with alias email addresses and sorting out any signatures.

Price Differences

Gmail, Google’s regular individual account (@gmail.com) is Free to set up and use. With the price differences, one thing to remember is that although a Basic Gmail account seems enticing enough with Free price tag, it does not have the many benefits we’ve discussed (with Gsuite) as well as one other very important consideration, which is that a general Gmail account is not secure. It does not have the security features that Gsuite Gmail offers. So, a general free Gmail is NOT a Company or Business type account and does not have the same security that your Gsuite business account does.

In my opinion (for what it is worth), signing up for Gsuite is a ‘no-brainer’. As soon as your domain is purchased and your website set up, that should be the next item on your ‘to-do list’. The small monthly fee pays for itself over and over again.

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