@einsley My response is based on FACEBOOK claiming, so if you are asking about a different platform this response may not apply.

Yes, in order to claim the business the email address must be associated with the business. When I claimed one of our “pages” my domain had to match the website within my email address. For Example if the website address was http://www.INSERTBUSINESSNAME.com my email had to be alexandra.briggs@INSERTBUSINESSNAME.com. I also had to associate the business email account with my Facebook account in order to claim the page.

I’m not sure if there are other work-arounds but when I had to claim one the other day through email these are the steps I had to take. I hope this helps.

Rich is right.Wwhen claiming Google Places Page listings for a business, the email address really doesn’t matter, as long as it is consistent. What does matter is that everything stays consistent from site to site. Meaning… you should have the same name, address, phone, website address, and email no matter where your citation is found online. It is when those elements do NOT match that you’ll eventually have trouble. The remedy is to delete and start over… that’s the best way… there are other ways… but better to just bite the bullet, delete, and start over.

Alexandra, I’m glad you mentioned the FB way, as I haven’t really tackled that before.

Robin

@EricaL If you need control then it has to be an email that you have access to so setting up an email account for each client that in turn you can also give them access to in the future is what we do. Just like @Jason said you can have them all forwarded to one master account. Did you have any specific platform questions? I know that Maps.Google and FourSquare send you a verification in the mail to  the business address, which almost always gets lost if you don’t tell someone it is important. With a site like Yelp! or Urbanspoon they will call the business phone in which case you have to be there to take over and put in the pin number or take the info they give you in order to claim. Any more questions feel free to tag me and I will do my best to answer!!

@einsley No you do not need to use the same email, it is just easier to monitor your feedback, reviews, PM’s, etc. 

@mikelzaremba

I think we’re all on the same page… consistency counts… when the info will appear online.

@einsley @prestonodenbrett  If you want to be found in the maps/local area of a search page DO NOT use a PO box at a post office or a UPS store. Google wants an address that is a office location. Google knows that you can’t set up an office in a post office or a UPS store. I work from home and didn’t want to use my home address so I’m using an executive suites with a mailbox option to get around the need to have a physical office. I could have an office there, I just don’t right now.

@prestonodenbrett The rules have changed. Google gets smarter every day.