SOP 002 · CLAUDE SETUP FOR BUSINESS · PAID
Set Up Claude AI for Your Business
Most small businesses set up Claude wrong and end up with answers that sound generic. The 30-minute setup that fixes this: pick the right plan, lock down privacy, connect Google Drive / Gmail / Calendar, prime Memory with your business context, and create your first Project. After this, Claude stops sounding like a chatbot and starts sounding like someone who has read every email you've sent.
Reviewed · 2026-04-28
Platform features change frequently. Rechecked weekly against the live platforms.
Claude is the most useful AI tool we have ever set up for a small business — but only after the first 30 minutes of setup is done properly. This SOP walks you through account creation, plan selection, connectors, memory, and your first project so Claude understands your operation from day one, not generic advice.
What you will set up
- A Claude account on the right plan for your usage
- Privacy settings configured for business use
- Google Drive, Gmail, and Calendar connectors
- Memory primed with your business context
- Your first project with project instructions
Time to complete: about 30–45 minutes the first time. Works in: any browser (Chrome or Safari recommended), Claude desktop apps, Claude mobile.
Common questions
The questions people actually ask.
- Which Claude plan should I start on?
- Free to explore, then Pro at USD $20/month for daily business use. Upgrade to Max only if you hit Pro limits every day.
- Can Claude send emails on my behalf?
- No. The Gmail connector lets Claude search emails, read threads, and draft replies — sending stays manual.
- Does Claude remember context between conversations?
- Yes. Memory is on by default for all plans since March 2026. Each project keeps its own separate memory so client context does not bleed between accounts.
- Will Claude train on my data?
- Not if you turn off 'Help improve Claude' under Settings → Privacy. Do this before pasting any client information.
- What does the Google Drive connector cost?
- It is included on every Claude plan, including Free. It reads text content only — not images inside documents.