How to Change Google Workspace Plans
Complete step-by-step guide to upgrading, downgrading, or switching your Google Workspace subscription plan. Learn the process, understand billing implications, and ensure seamless transitions.
Perfect for: Perfect for: Growing businesses needing more features, cost-conscious organizations optimizing expenses, or companies requiring specific plan features for compliance or productivity needs.
Prerequisites Before Changing Plans
Ensure you have the necessary access and understand the implications before switching your Google Workspace plan.
Super Admin Access
Super admin privileges in Google Workspace Admin Console
Billing Administrator
Access to billing settings and payment methods
User Count Review
Current user count and projected growth needs
Storage Assessment
Understanding of current storage usage and requirements
Important Considerations
- • Plan changes take effect immediately but billing cycles may vary
- • Some features may be lost when downgrading - review feature comparison
- • Enterprise plans may require annual commitments with minimum user counts
- • Data retention policies may change based on your new plan
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Secondary Domain
Follow these detailed steps to successfully add and configure your secondary domain in Google Workspace.
Access Admin Console
Sign in to Google Admin Console with super admin privileges
Detailed Steps:
- Go to admin.google.com
- Sign in with your super admin account
- Ensure you have billing administrator access
Navigate to Billing
Access the billing section to view current subscription
Detailed Steps:
- Click on 'Billing' in the left sidebar
- If not visible, expand 'Show more' at the bottom
- Select 'Subscriptions' to view current plan details
Review Current Plan
Understand your current plan features and usage
Detailed Steps:
- Note your current plan type (Business Starter, Standard, Plus, Enterprise)
- Review user count and storage usage
- Check renewal date and billing cycle
Select New Plan
Choose your desired Google Workspace plan
Detailed Steps:
- Click 'Change plan' or 'Upgrade/Downgrade'
- Compare available plans and features
- Select the plan that best fits your needs
Review Changes
Confirm plan changes and billing implications
Detailed Steps:
- Review the plan comparison and feature changes
- Check prorated billing amounts and next billing date
- Understand any commitment terms for Enterprise plans
Confirm & Activate
Finalize the plan change and communicate to users
Detailed Steps:
- Confirm the plan change in the admin console
- Verify new features are activated
- Notify users of any changes in available features
- Update any organizational policies if needed
Google Workspace Plan Comparison (Key Features)
Understanding the key differences between Google Workspace plans to make the right choice for your organization.
- • Storage limits apply per user for individual plans
- • Enterprise plans may have minimum user requirements
- • Annual commitments may offer cost savings for larger organizations
Common Issues & Solutions
Troubleshoot common problems when adding secondary domains to Google Workspace.
Feature Loss During Downgrade
Solution:
Export important data and review which features will be unavailable before downgrading
Prevention:
Create a feature comparison checklist and plan data migration if needed
Billing Confusion
Solution:
Contact support for billing questions and review prorated charges carefully
Prevention:
Understand billing cycles and plan change timing before switching
User License Mismatch
Solution:
Adjust user count to match new plan requirements or add additional licenses
Prevention:
Review user count requirements for new plan before switching
Storage Limit Exceeded
Solution:
Clean up storage or upgrade to a plan with higher storage limits
Prevention:
Monitor storage usage and plan upgrades before hitting limits
Need Help Adding Your Secondary Domain?
While this guide covers the technical steps, domain setup can be tricky with DNS propagation, verification issues, and configuration complexities. Our Google Workspace experts can handle the entire process for you.
Quick Setup
Complete secondary domain setup in 24-48 hours
Zero Risk
No downtime or email disruption during setup
Free Support
Ongoing support included at no extra cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about adding secondary domains to Google Workspace.
Can I change my Google Workspace plan at any time?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your Google Workspace plan at any time. Changes take effect immediately, though billing adjustments are prorated based on your billing cycle. Enterprise plans may have different terms and annual commitments.
What happens to my data when I change plans?
Your data remains safe during plan changes. However, when downgrading, you may lose access to certain features or face reduced storage limits. Export important data before downgrading if the new plan has lower storage limits.
Will changing plans affect my users immediately?
Plan changes activate immediately, so users will gain or lose access to features right away. When upgrading, new features become available instantly. When downgrading, some features may become unavailable immediately.
How does billing work when I change plans mid-cycle?
Google Workspace uses prorated billing. When you upgrade, you pay the difference for the remaining days in your billing cycle. When downgrading, you receive credit for the unused portion of your current plan.
Can I switch from monthly to annual billing?
Yes, you can change your billing frequency along with your plan. Annual billing typically offers cost savings (usually around 16-20% discount) compared to monthly billing for the same plan.
What's the minimum user requirement for Enterprise plans?
Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus typically require a minimum of 300 users and annual commitments. However, requirements may vary by region and reseller agreements. Contact your reseller for specific terms.
Can I mix different plan types for different users?
No, all users in a Google Workspace organization must be on the same plan type. However, you can choose different Google Workspace products (like Workspace Individual) for specific use cases, though they would be separate accounts.
What happens if I need to cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your Google Workspace subscription at any time. You'll retain access until the end of your current billing period. After cancellation, you have a grace period to download your data before it's deleted. As a reseller, Skynetiks can help manage cancellation processes and data migration if needed.