Anyone using google apps?

[CloudLogic]

Originally Posted by websitedesigner

We use it but not the paid version there is a big disconnect with their payment model I think. They try to hide the free version which seems unlike google. I can't see much reason why someone would choose the paid version over the free unless they didn't know about the free version.

Why we only recommend the paid version for businesses:

1. No adverts
2. 99.9% uptime guarantee
3. Ability to sync email/calendar/contacts/tasks with Outlook
4. 24x7 phone support from Google

And its still only $50 per user per year. Having the peace of mind that if your email does ever go down you can pick up the phone and talk direct to Google, plus not seeing adverts beside your email, are worth that alone to many businesses.

[websitedesigner]

Keeping in mind that we are talking about micro and small businesses her, in response to that, I would say:

1. Ads in gmail are no problem for me, ads are everywhere and services that relate to what you are discussing won't necessarily worsen the experience. They are on Google all day with ads what's the difference? I dont think the ads should be (or really are) a concern for most small businesses.
2. Google apps (free) has never gone down as far as I know while I have been using it. They are extremely reliable. Its google! 10x more reliable than your average host. I don't know if there is data on the uptime on the free vs paid I'd be surprised if it was much different. What exactly does the guarantee mean? You get your money back if it goes down? Why not just not pay in the first place.
3. I've never had to call them. The only questions I think people would generally have would be usage type questions - I.e. how do you add an email account etc. these questions can be asked of your IT support or if you are skilled in using their search engine or help there are easy answers to these questions. I guess its not much money and if you want the support (assuming they offer a good support service for these types of questions) then go for it, but unnecessary for a lot of users I think.

Personally on Outlook I think small businesses have a mindset that it's a good product and necessary for business. But really it's an average way to access email I think. Why have outlook installed when you can have the same experience, a better experience, without software for free from any computer. After switching I'd never go back to outlook. It's kind of like comparing Xero with MYOB (although probably not quite that drastic).

I know we see things differently on this. My point is I don't think Google have done a good job with this product as a 'freemium' type product. Compare this with dropbox or mail chimp. They promote the free product (as opposed to hiding it), they get people addicted to its awesomeness, then they present a compelling offer to upgrade (more space, more features, more subscribers etc). Not 'the free version might go down'.

[openxcellaus]

This is not my first go at Google Apps. I used it as my primary personal email from 2007 until last year. And I also use sometime Google Docs apps.

[Uncomplicating]

Originally Posted by websitedesigner

Personally on Outlook I think small businesses have a mindset that it's a good product and necessary for business. But really it's an average way to access email I think. Why have outlook installed when you can have the same experience, a better experience, without software for free from any computer. After switching I'd never go back to outlook.

.

I've used gmail for the last 6 years, although I keep being tempted to move to the paid version. I had a brief flirtation with OpenOffice and Thunderbird when I was having a saving money fad, but it didn't last very long, and I soon bought Office and went back to Gmail.

It's simply too good and too easy and too in the cloud to do anything else.

[Safe Skies]

So with google apps can I use my name@businessname email address? And if I go over to apps will it export all my outlook into it address and things, I also use iPhone and the calender is there an app for my phone with all this on, I like the idea of all my emails being in sync, at present I have an iPad, iPhone and Mac and they are not sync..

Help?

[Uncomplicating]

Originally Posted by Safe Skies

So with google apps can I use my name@businessname email address? And if I go over to apps will it export all my outlook into it address and things, I also use iPhone and the calender is there an app for my phone with all this on, I like the idea of all my emails being in sync, at present I have an iPad, iPhone and Mac and they are not sync..

Help?

A Gmail account allows you to get mail from mulitple accounts. Once it's in gmail, there's apps for iphone and android etc.

You'll need to manually port address book information from outlook to your gmail contact list I think.

[websitedesigner]

All your emails will be in sync with google, you just use the standard mail app on the iPad iPhone etc and configure them to talk to your google account - super easy just one email and password. You can keep calendars and contacts synced as well.

[canberraplanner]

Google Apps is basically built in to Android, it's so seamlessly integrated it's changed my life.. I don't know how anything could be out of sync on iOS, you'd think Apple would have that nailed (and wrapped up in patents).

Calendars.... Hmmmm. They have honestly, changed our life.. Seamlessly across all our Android devices and Web... Brilliant.

I do think the outlook sync is worth it.. Not sure what else you get for the paid version though.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[Sholto_BoxFreeIT]

Originally Posted by websitedesigner

I don't know if there is data on the uptime on the free vs paid I'd be surprised if it was much different.

Google told me that the paid and free versions of Google Apps run on the same infrastructure. They just give it a guaranteed SLA with the paid version.

[Neil Ruthers]

Yes we use it, and help other use it. Its a great stable platform, that allows us to access our information from anywhere. Beats office anyday, so much more affordable for small startups.


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Google Apps for Business