If you run a small business, then you likely know the importance in choosing the right people and the right programs. It’s incredibly important to keep your supply and information chains running smoothly, which is why you’re probably looking into G Suite. G Suite is designed to give your business a step-up, not just in outward appearance, but also inward organization. Knowing how to sign up, and what you need to sign up, is the next information you need. Thankfully, the G Suite sign up is a seamless process. I’ll walk you through it today so you know what to expect.
Knowing the Program for You
G Suite exists in tiered offerings depending on the size of your business. The tier you choose is also going to affect the way you sign up.
The entry-level license is a single person business and it also has the simplest sign up. It has separate options for small businesses (2 to 9 employees) and medium-sized businesses (10 to 250 businesses).
Business tiers have access to interpersonal communication tools, such as email accounts for team members and video conferencing options.
Larger businesses with more than 250 employees have the Enterprise option, which includes technical guides as well as management resources.
What You Need to Get Started
For G Suite sign up, you will need a domain name for your business.
Google doesn’t provide domain names, but it offers help in purchasing one. If you already have a domain name, then G Suite will enable services for it and allow you to create customized emails. You’ll need to verify ownership of your domain, and make sure you’re not already using it for another Google Cloud account.
If you need to purchase a domain, then when you are prompted early in the sign-up process select that you don’t have a domain name. Enter the name you’d like to register and Google will tell you if it’s available. If it isn’t, Google will share with you some similar available options.
This step is particularly important since changing a domain is a cumbersome process. It’s better to take your time and choose the right domain for your business right at the very beginning.
After choosing, you’ll need to verify your name through ICANN, the governing body that oversees domain registration. The domain host will reach out for verification as well. Annual registrations are paid in full upfront. Once per year, your monthly G Suite invoice will be higher to account for the domain renewal.
After your domain is set up, G Suite will ask you to set up your username and password. This will become your G Suite email in addition to giving you access to your G Suite services.
You will also need to provide a separate email address outside your G Suite domain as a backup in case you need to access your account due to a forgotten password.
The G Suite Sign Up Process
In this section I’ll share the specifics of signing up as an individual, and businesses of different sizes.
Individual Account
If you’re signing up with G Suite for a single person business, then the process of G Suite sign up isn’t much more complicated than setting up your email.
After it’s set up, you’ll import your email and other data over to G Suite (a simple process that Google walks you through step-by-step).
From there, you’re able to schedule meetings and chat over your Google services. You can set up G Suite on mobile to make calls or edit documents on the go.
You’ll also gain access to Google Drive to back up data or share files. As you go, you’ll be able to add more users and other accounts, like for contractors or other employees.
You also have the option to upgrade your G Suite edition at any time, so you can start with a cheap option, and upgrade later as your needs grow.
There’s a free trial which includes G Suite business and you can upgrade or downgrade at any point. There’s flexibility in how you operate your subscription. G Suite simplifies your business processes, which make it easier and easier to grow.
Small Businesses
G Suite sign up for a small business, you have the added step of managing your team. G Suite gives you the option of adding team members, creating groups, and adding administrators. With that, you’ll also be able to change aliases, usernames, and reset passwords.
G Suite also gives you direct communication channels with your employees, which makes it extremely easy to keep everybody on the same page. Meetings and communications can be conducted through group lists, chat systems, and video meetings. You can delegate calendar access for employees to know when to meet. Cloud storage is also grouped amongst employees to easily transfer files.
Medium Businesses
Medium-sized businesses have a more robust process for onboarding employees. You’ll set up your G Suite account through the Administrator console. From there, you’ll test your G Suite with a small set of users to make sure that the system is running properly. Once that’s completed, you’ll add your remaining employees. After that, you’ll need to set up your communication systems and customize the template with your company logo. Once communication is set up, transfer your emails and data over to G Suite and set up mobile devices for your employees.
With Administrator control, you set when new features and updates will be deployed. When Google releases updates, they become available to you, and you can decide to implement them when you’re ready. You also have access to training guides and tips for your employees to help them get used to their new system.
Enterprise-Level Corporations
With an Enterprise system, the transition and implementation of G Suite is a much more involved process and will take several months. Your IT teams will be the first users and will have their accounts set up and data transferred. After several weeks, the early adopters of your company will have their accounts set up and will transition their email and calendar systems before a wide implementation across your company.
This process can take several months to fully implement. Expect up to 30 days per phase of implementation. When going through with the wide implementation across your company, all employees will be switched over to G Suite accounts for email and will need to transfer their data. Afterwards, communication channels and training will be set up additionally.
Signing Up for G Suite as a School or Non-Profit
G Suite offers their services for other entities, like educational organizations and non-profits. Your organization will need to meet specific requirements for eligibility. If you do meet these qualifications, then you’ll have access to additional options or discounts.
G Suite for Education Sign Up Process
As an educational organization, you’ll enjoy additional structure to your G Suite account setup. You have two options:
- role-oriented or
- organization-oriented systems.
Role-oriented systems allow you to segment teachers and students and organize by grade.
For organization-oriented systems, your G Suite set up will be organized by regions, sub-divided into schools, then into student, teacher, or staff.
It’s best to setup unique accounts for all students and users of G Suite, as well as multiple domains or aliases.
Non-Profit G Suite Sign Up
Qualifying non-profits get the most basic features of G Suite at no cost.
These differ by country, but the requirement is to be a charitable organization that isn’t a government entity, a health care organization, or an academic institution. However, charitable or philanthropic arms of health and academic centers are still eligible.
Signing up as a non-profit does not differ initially from signing up as a business. The differing factor is registering as a non-profit during the trial period.
You’ll have access to the same benefits of customizing your email and communication channels provided for standard businesses. The key distinction is in verifying your eligibility for a free license of the software.
Final Thoughts About the G Suite Sign Up Process
Signing up for G Suite is designed to be a straightforward process, especially in the lower level offerings (individuals and small businesses).
G Suite can enhance your business and make it look more professional, which in turn helps your business grow and expand. It’s an easy process to add employees or users as your company grows, and I love that billing is month-to-month (ideal for seasonal businesses and young businesses with teams that grow and shrink throughout the year.
Upgrading your license is also incredibly simple since you’ve already provided the essential information.
It’s challenging enough to keep your business organized and G Suite takes a lot of the challenge away from you. It puts all your essentials in one place so that you can communicate easily and effectively and make sure all your employees are on the same page.
