If you’re considering giving Google Workspace a shot, your first thought might be to go directly to Google’s official site and hit that “Start Free Trial” button. It seems like the most straightforward option, right? But hold on – this choice could lead to some unexpected issues later on. What appears to be the quickest way to dive in might actually limit your choices and cause some headaches for your business down the line.
Here’s why starting your trial on the official Google Workspace site may not be the best idea.
1. Shorter Trial Period
When you start your trial directly through Google, you only get 14 days. Two weeks might sound reasonable, but most businesses quickly realize it’s not nearly enough time to set up accounts, onboard staff, migrate data, and test features like shared drives, security settings, or integrations. Authorized Google Workspace partners, like Gear Cloud Solutions, provide a generous 30-day free trial. That additional time can really help you figure out how Workspace integrates into your daily operations.
2. No Access to Discounts or Promos
As soon as you begin a free trial on Google’s website, you are effectively tied to their usual pricing structure. This signifies that you forfeit any discounts, promotions, or adaptable payment choices that partners typically provide. Given that partners are service providers (rather than product companies) for your business, they frequently enhance the offer by presenting lower initial costs or customized billing options. By starting directly with Google, you close the door on these savings before you even begin.
3. Problems with Billing Country
Here’s a hidden problem most businesses don’t think about until it’s too late. Google has a strict policy when it comes to changing your billing country after you’ve set up your account. If your business relocates, for instance, moving operations to the U.S., you can’t simply adjust your billing settings. Instead, you must cancel your entire Google Workspace plan and start a new one, which can cause a significant disruption in your business and downtime. When you go through a partner, you have more flexibility in managing billing and can often handle a country change without restarting your whole account.
4. Limited Support
Signing up directly with Google means you only get standard Google support. It’s reliable for basic issues, but it’s not tailored to your business. When you team up with a partner like Gear Cloud Solutions, you’re not just getting a service; you’re gaining a support crew that truly gets your setup and your goals. They provide assistance on aspects such as setup and migration, security, and faster responses to the questions that truly concern your team. That additional level of assistance can make the distinction between solving a problem in hours rather than days.
5. No Way to Switch Later
This is the part most people don’t find out until it’s too late. Once you’ve started Google Workspace directly with Google, you can’t easily transfer your account to a partner later. Technically, Google does allow a transfer, but for partners, there’s little to no margin when moving “Google direct” customers under their management. Because of that, resellers have no incentive to offer the usual perks, and you lose out on promotional discounts, ongoing consultation and advice, additional support, and solution bundles that fit your business needs. In other words, starting directly with Google closes the door on long-term benefits that a partner could provide.
Why a Partner Trial is Better
Here’s what you gain if you start your Google Workspace trial with a trusted partner instead of going straight through Google:
- 30-day free trial instead of 14
- Discounts and promos that Google doesn’t offer directly
- Flexible payment terms designed for businesses
- Dedicated support team that knows your business
- No need to cancel and restart if your billing country changes
- Access to consultation and solution offers over time
Final Word
Google Workspace is one of the best productivity platforms available today, but where you start your free trial matters more than most people realize. Starting your trial on the official Google Workspace site may seem like the simplest option, but it limits your flexibility, locks you out of discounts, and can even create major problems later if your business moves or grows. By starting through a partner like Gear Cloud Solutions, you give yourself more time, more savings, and more room for support. That means fewer headaches now and far fewer regrets later.