G Suite Free Edition Closing

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Several years ago, Google offered what is now Workspace free to small businesses. Yes, it was limited compared to the full product, but it offered corporate email and all of the key features most businesses would need.

This legacy service closes at the end of June, but, of course, you can upgrade to a full account, which I don't really have an issue with..... but.....

Having several businesses and setups, I use 4 different accounts with (I think) 2 additional domains and about 11 aliases. Whichever way I look at it, it means having to set up several accounts if I use alias domains and even more if I use unique domains.

I wondered if anyone is also in a similar position and has any thoughts on how they might go forward? I see the options as:

1. Take it on the chin and just pay up (but probably only use one account with several domains)!
2. Set up my own server
3. Use Zoho more (they offer a similar, free email level)

Anything I have missed or should consider?

BTW, unless there are any real advantages, I would rather pay for big G than move to MS.

 

[zigojacko]

You can set up multiple domains under one account in a hierarchy / business structure.

What you need won't cost much at all each month and you can manage everything under one account's interface, then just set up your mailboxes all in one local email client.

If I have understood correctly.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

But, if you set up a domain, doesn't each account setup cost per user?

By using Aliases, you can then use common mail addresses, but it gets complicated when you want to start sending by domain.

 

[zigojacko]

You pay per user across an entire account. I.e. each 'real' mailbox you want to have set up (and then for each mailbox, you can have hundreds of aliases each).

We already do everything you have mentioned in our business with minimal fuss.

I guess it comes down to exactly what you are referring to by 'account'...

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

User = (paid) account.

I appreciate the comments - I will investigate further.

BTW, another option is to use the cpanel email for each domain....

 

[zigojacko]

Sure thing.

I'd recommend sticking to G Suite as it offers far more superior control, management and flexibility than any other mail server and saves a lot of messing about and configuration elsewhere.

We've got two businesses running through G Suite and I think we pay less than £50 per month each for them.

We've got about 200 email addresses though across 10+ departments and operate a catchall as well and we can just hook non-existent addresses into our third party ticket system to send and reply from that address. So we literally have limitless capabilities with regards to email in our company... If that's of any use to you.

 

[Alan]

Yes I'm aware of this.

I already pay for Google Workspace Business Standard for my business and have no issue paying for it.

However my 'personal' domain family emails are on the free G Suite.

I spent an evening thinking about it and decided to transfer to Zoho ( as opposed to use C-Panel / Round cube - clients )- BUT the migration tool simply didn't work - so I gave up.

I'm sort of thinking - for the pain - I'll end up staying with Google WorkSpace for my domestic email.
I could in theory alias the personal domain but in effect that will save me nothing (as my user count increases ).

 

[Alan]

By using Aliases, you can then use common mail addresses, but it gets complicated when you want to start sending by domain.

Not at all if you use gmail site or app - you just select the domain you want to send from.

 

[DavidWH]

Could you set up a group?

We have an accounts@ email, that forwards emails to specified emails, but you can login to the group and see messages sent to it.

Can also send emails using the alias as above. The group just keeps everything in one place

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

thanks, guys - a lot of food for thought.