What do you want out of an email system? Easy to use, customisable, free? You get all of that with the standard edition of Google Apps. In fact, you don't just get an email system, but a suite of helpful online tools. It's all stored on the web so you can access work from home, on the iPad or even on the golf course.

We use Google email at Endis, and I use it personally as well, because I have my own domain name, just like many churches. Google let you use it to create addresses such as hello@citychurch.com, for instance. We recommend Google to all of our customers who are looking for an email service. If you want to know more about how to set Google email up for your church, we have some information that will help – contact us on Twitter or Facebook.

To get started with Google Apps you first need to set up your domain with Google.

Setting up your domain with Google Apps

1. Go to Google to select the free version of Google Apps (for nonprofits). Click the big blue button to get started. The free version is ideal for up to 10 users. Commercial organisation can use the paid version which is still great value.
   
2. Follow the instructions to sign up your domain name and create your Google Apps account.  You will need to prove that you own the domain, so you will need access to one of the following:
• the domain's DNS settings (managed by your domain host)
• the server that hosts your domain's website
  
• a Google Analytics account for your domain
3. Once you complete the sign up process, Google Apps will take you to your Google Apps administrator control panel where you can log in to your new account, verify your domain ownership and set up additional services for you and your team.

More free services in Google Apps

Google Apps is loaded with services that can help your church administration, sitting perfectly alongside your ChurchInsight website.

• Alerts – email updates of the latest Google results based on your choice of query or topic
• Docs – on-line document editing, just like an online version of Word and Excel
• Calendar – easy to use; easy to share; easy to keep your business and personal life organised
• Talk – chat via video and voice plug-in or chat and send/receive files right from your desktop (PC only)
• Tasks – keep track of what you need to do and when it needs to be done; easily convert emails into tasks
• Translate – Instantly translate text, web pages, and files between over 50 languages

See a complete list of Google Apps.

Don't be put off if you haven't tried online services before – you'll be amazed how easy it is to access all of your online communications through Google. Sharing files, coordinating schedules and meetings, organising your web experiences – all readily available and easy to use. Plus, it doesn't cost you a penny.