Google Chat

What Is Google Chat?

Within the Google Workspace environment, Google Chat is a safe communication platform that makes it simple to conduct business.

Previously known as Google Hangouts Chat, Google Chat has had some changes and upgrades to make it more suited for professional use.

Teams can set up web conferences, create collaborative chat groups, share documents, and deliver presentations using Google Chat.

Google Chat is a professional workspace that allows efficient communication between the entire team.

Essentially Google Chat is the business form of Whatsapp. Brilliant for those who like to keep their business chat separate from their personal chat.

How Does Google Chat Work?

Once you set up your Google Workspace account which can be accessed from your Google Account dashboard, you can easily access Google Chat.

Simply press the Google App Launcher button within a Google Workspace application.

Once you press the app launcher, the gridded set of dots on the upper right side of the screen, you will see a series of apps.

This is where all of your Google apps are stored from Gmail to your Google Drive. Select Chat from the second line.

Once the application has loaded you will be welcomed with the people you chat with on the left side of the screen. You will also see data such as who is online and available to chat.

Simply select the name of the person you wish to chat with and begin a conversation!

The application is crafted with lots of small but useful features such as predictive text.

This will automate responses to messages from co-workers meaning that you can spend less time typing and more time working.

Once a conversation has begun you can both now begin to send any necessary messages, files, and documents that are stored in your Google Drive.

Anyone with access to the chat will have access to these files.

Google Chat Features

Aside from sending messages and different files, Google Chat has a plethora of features for you and your team to use. Including:

• Team Chat Rooms. Each conversation on Google Chat is transformed into a room. Your team will have a central spot to share files, assign tasks, and interact over the course of a project with rooms. For individuals who want to assign particular team members to particular tasks, there are message threads available.
• Larger Video Chat. Google Chat has been upgraded to house 250 participants maximum on any video chat. You can easily hold large online conferences or meetings with your team without difficulty.
• Google Meet Integration. This feature is one of the best newly created features. As you are creating a video meeting or Google Meet you can tag the intended attendees. Then you can easily inform them of the meeting date and the information is logged into their Google Calendar.

Pros And Cons Of Google Chat App

While the Google Chat app makes communicating with your team simple, there are a few other advantages and disadvantages to be considered.

With so many similar apps on the market you want to ensure you are aware of everything to select the right one.

Pros Of Google Chat

• Efficient Communication. Once you select the name of the person you wish to communicate with you can easily and quickly communicate with whenever you wish. You can easily use the smart chat feature to send automated replies to certain messages making communicating simple.
• Split Screen Interface. Select the “Open in Chat” button to split your screen. You can have Google Chat open on the left and Google Doc open on the right. This allows for everyone to view the necessary documents at the same time without having to click back and forth on the chat screen.
• Chat Rooms. While both rooms and regular chats take place within Google Chat there are a few differences. A regular chat is great for quick questions and answers but a room will store any files shared and tasks. Groups can also make their own custom names on rooms, perfect if you have several team chats to keep track of.
• Direct Audio Calling. You can easily have an audio call with one person through Google Chats for convenience. No need to set up a formal video call for a few simple questions.

Cons Of Google Chat

• Migration of Information. If you had a previous Hangouts account filled with chats and information, this data will not be carried over to Google Chat. However, they can still be accessed through hangouts.google.com.
• Interface. While Google Hangouts was extremely simple to use, the Google Chat interface may take some time to get used to. From regular chats to rooms to the integration of different applications.
• Mobile Access. Google Chat is available as both an Android and iOS application, however, it is deeply flawed and requires upgrading often.

Does Your Business Need Google Chat?

If you are looking for a simple way to communicate with your team then Google Chat is an excellent choice.

All of your Google applications are being integrated into the app including Gmail and Google Meets making access simple.

Google Chat is a useful form of communication for smaller businesses (1-50) employees, however, it can easily house multiple lines of communication and has the capacity to have a Google Meet video call with up to 250 participants.

However, if your business is much larger than 250, you may find Google Chat less than ideal.

Overall, Google Chat is a great way to connect and keep up to date with your team in a more professional setting.