Does local business listing affect SEO for big companies

[lee_sufc]

We've been toying with the idea of adding a business listing onto Google to add opening hours and secure reviews, etc.

However, I've always been a little hesitant about doing so. Basically, we run a company providing services to people throughout the UK (and often globally). Although we do have an office address in London, I didn't want to add a listing, and then make Google think we're a local business only. I then thought that by doing this, we could drop down in the SERPs in non-London locations.

Has anyone with a national / international businesses added a Google Local Listing? If so, did you notice it affecting your SEO efforts?

[Shaddows]

We added the My Business box, without adverse effects. We're based in a town outside London, so downside would be significantly worse than a London-based company.

It's not the same as the map listings, incorporates Google reviews and gives you an epic amount of SERP space.

We went through a real fight to get it to show without our town name, but it works now. Your Google rep will be happy to talk to you about it if there are problems- though whether that helps or not is moot.

[Shaddows]

Not sure if this will survive moderation, but it works for these:
[google.co.uk...]

[goodroi]

@Shaddows Would be funny if that was OPs site.

I haven't experienced any trouble doing this. I think it actually helps overall because it increases the chance of owning more of the real estate on the serps.