The Best Google Apps for Small Business

Google Apps is giving many small businesses an alternative to Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes. The Google Apps are a cost effective and hassle free option that currently has more than 2 million businesses using them. These Google Apps are a part of the growing Google Apps Marketplace, an online storefront for cloud applications. These five Google Apps have been singled out as the best for small businesses.

1. Google App BatchBook Social CRM
BatchBook is a social CRM that organizes contracts, views customers' social networking activities and tracks sales leads all within one application. BatchBook is a customizable, web-based contact relationship manager that will synchronize with existing Google contacts. The BatchBook application is very effective in monitoring small business relationships.

2. Google App Offisync
Offisync is an add-on to the popular Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010. It extends the core processes of Word, Excel and PowerPoint functions by utilizing Google Docs and Google Sites. Offisync is a free application that lets small business utilize Microsoft Office functions in a Google web-based solution.

3. Google App Rhino Accounting
Rhino Accounting through the Google App Marketplace is a free substitute to QuickBooks Online. Small businesses will enjoy the Rhino Accounting easy to use solutions for their basic bookkeeping requirements. Reports are generated through Google Docs and invoices can be sent by Gmail. As a web-based solution, users can view their financial data from home or on the road.

4. Google App Tungle.me
A free personal scheduling application, Tungle.me will simplify a small business day. The web-based application allows users to publish their availability to colleagues and customers. It integrates with Google Calendar and allows small businesses to schedule meetings and book time with customers.

5. Google App Tripit
It seems that small businesses are always on the go. Traveling to meet with clients, collaborating with partners, or attending trade shows. The Tripit app organizes and shares your itinerary with family, colleagues and even social networking contacts such as LinkedIn to make it easier to coordinate schedules. This Google app can be accessed through an iPhone, Android or Blackberry for easy use.