Google will charge small businesses for Gmail

Google have had success with their free online Google Apps suite, a package designed to challenge Microsoft Office in the mainstream sector. Google say that if they charge $50 per user per year (around £33 in UK) it can provide support to businesses.

They said “Businesses quickly outgrow the basic version and want things like 24/7 customer support and larger inboxes.”

Ordinary punters will still be able to use all the software for free, including Gmail and Google Drive.

Google Apps is now used by more than 5 million companies worldwide according to the company. They have yet to announce the money they make from the package, however the plan is to make it a larger part of revenue generation each year. Web advertising produces almost all of Googles $38bn annual revenue stream.

Microsoft meanwhile are still strong in the Office sector, and Google Apps doesn't appear to have impacted their business.

Kitguru says: Microsoft still hold a 90 percent market share according to analysis by industry experts.

Become a Patron!