Google Workspace

Google Workspace gives you a business email address on your own domain, along with calendar, Meet video calls, Docs and shared storage. It suits any solo business that wants to look professional and keep client files in one place. If you are happy with a free Gmail address for now, you can wait.

On the maker's pricing page, Business Starter lists 30 GB of storage per user and Meet calls of up to 100 participants. Business Standard lists 2 TB and 150 participants, and Business Plus lists 5 TB and 500 participants. The page lists them at US$7, US$14 and US$22 per user per month on an annual commitment, billed monthly, and shows an introductory discount. Gemini AI features are listed on all three. Our price above is converted to Australian dollars, and the Australian-dollar price may only appear when you sign up, so confirm it there.

• Starter is enough for email, calendar, Drive and Meet for one person.
• Standard adds much more storage, which matters if you handle large video or design files.

• Use a domain you own, and verify it with Google.
• Create your account and add the email aliases you need, such as hello@ and invoices@.
• Set up the mail records, including SPF and DKIM, so your emails are not marked as spam.
• Move your calendar and contacts across, then switch your phone and laptop to the new account.

You pay per user, so even a one-person business pays every month. Setting up the mail records takes care, and a mistake can send your emails to spam. Keep a backup of important files outside the account.

Microsoft 365 is the main alternative. Zoho Mail and Proton Mail are cheaper or more private for email only. For documents, Notion can cover notes and wikis.

Google Workspace covers email and files in the Solo Consultant Client and Freelance Web Design Studio stacks.