How to Set Up and Manage Google Workspace for Your Organization – Made Simple!
Hey there! Are you starting a business in the UAE and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the tech tools out there? Don’t worry — you’re definitely not alone! Choosing the right workspace platform can feel like a big decision, but we’re here to make it super simple for you.
Whether you’re launching your startup in Dubai’s busy business district or setting up shop in Sharjah, having the right collaboration tools can make all the difference. Today, we’re going to chat about two popular options: Google Workspace and Zoho Workplace. Think of this as your friendly guide to help you pick the best fit for your team!
What is Google Workspace?
Google Workspace is your all-in-one cloud office. You get:
- Professional Gmail with your domain (e.g., you@yourcompany.ae)
- Drive for secure cloud storage (30GB–5TB per user)
- Google Meet for video conferencing
- Docs, Sheets, Slides for collaboration
- Admin Console to manage everything centrally
Perfect for businesses of all sizes — from startups in Dubai to enterprises across the UAE.
Before You Start
You’ll need:
- A domain name (like yourcompany.ae)
- A valid credit card (after the free 14-day trial)
- A backup email address (for recovery)
💡 Don’t have a domain yet? Providers like creativeON, GoDaddy, or Namecheap offer easy registration. We can help you set it up!
Setting Up Google Workspace: Key Steps
1. Sign Up & Pick a Plan
Visit workspace.google.com and:
- Enter your business details
- Use your existing domain or buy one
- Select the plan that suits your needs
🔎 Compare plans and pricing for UAE: Click here
2. Verify Your Domain
To activate email and services, you need to prove domain ownership.
How to verify your domain:
- Google provides a TXT record (or sometimes MX record)
- Add this record to your domain’s DNS settings
✅ You can do this:
- Through your domain provider’s dashboard (e.g., creativeON, GoDaddy, Namecheap)
- Or via your hosting cPanel, if your domain is hosted there
🛠️ Tip: Most UAE hosting providers (including creativeON) offer access to cPanel where you can add TXT and MX records under “Zone Editor” or “DNS Settings”.
Once added, go back to Google and click “Verify”. It usually takes a few minutes.
3. Create Your Admin Account
- Choose an admin email like admin@yourdomain.ae
- Set a strong password
- Accept Google’s terms and conditions
You’ll now access the Admin Console at admin.google.com.
4. Set Up the Admin Console
This is your control hub to:
- Add users and assign email addresses
- Manage apps and permissions
- Set security policies
- Monitor account activity
🔐 Start small with permissions — only give admin rights to trusted staff.
5. Add Users and Groups
Adding your team is easy:
- Go to Admin Console > Users
- Click “+” and enter their name, email, and password
Create Groups like marketing@ or support@ for easier communication and access control
6. Secure Your Workspace
Security is essential. Here’s how to lock it down:
- Enable 2-Step Verification for all users
- Enforce strong passwords (min. 8 characters, mix of symbols/numbers)
- Restrict access from unapproved devices
- Review sign-in activity regularly
🔒 Pro Tip: Enable login alerts and periodic password changes for better compliance.
7. Configure Gmail, Drive, and Meet Gmail
Gmail
- Set up email signatures
- Create routing and forwarding rules
- Add spam filters
Google Drive
- Organize shared folders by department
- Set view/edit/upload rights
Google Meet
- Configure who can record meetings
- Set dial-in options for remote users
📱 Don’t forget mobile apps! Gmail, Drive, and Meet apps keep your team connected on the go.
8. Train Your Team
Smooth onboarding makes all the difference:
- Share Google’s free Workspace training resources
- Schedule intro sessions for each department
Create brief how-to guides for daily tasks
🛍️ Need help picking the right plan? Contact us for a free consultation.
Migrating Old Emails or Files?
Google’s Data Migration Service (DMS) helps move:
- Emails (from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or IMAP)
- Contacts and calendar entries
- Drive documents from old Google accounts
Our migration team ensures no downtime and zero data loss.
Ongoing Admin & Workspace Management
User Management:
- Add/remove staff as needed
- Reset passwords or change roles
Security Monitoring:
- Review login attempts
- Audit 3rd-party app access
- Update password and 2FA policies
Drive/Storage Maintenance:
- Clear old files
- Organize team drives
Track usage and upgrade storage as needed
Common Questions
Yes — you only need a domain (not a full website).
Yes! If your domain is hosted with creativeON or another UAE host, you can add TXT and MX records directly through cPanel.
Definitely — Google offers a 14-day free trial.
Very. It’s built on Google’s enterprise-grade infrastructure.
