Why Google business email is priced at $6-$12 per user per month?
I am at the stage where I want to look more professional with a custom email, but once you start checking Google Workspace pricing, it adds up fast. Even the entry plan is around $7/user/month now, and if you need more storage or better features it jumps higher. For a small business or solo founder, paying monthly per user feels expensive pretty quickly.
What I am trying to figure out is: what am I actually paying for with Google? Is it mostly the brand name, Gmail reliability, spam protection, admin tools, storage, integrations, etc.?
At the same time, I am wondering if there are cheaper alternatives that still look professional and work well.
What I need:
Custom domain email
Reliable inbox delivery
Easy setup (not too technical)
Good mobile + desktop access
Affordable for a small business
Ability to add more users later if needed
Any platforms to avoid or hidden setup issues I should know about