Can Attorneys Be Rated The Same Way As Any Other Business?

For those of us who have had to search for a criminal lawyer for a loved one in trouble, we all know the process can be painstaking and filled with stress and anxiety.  How do we choose a competent attorney?  How do I know the lawyer is any good?  With many businesses the simple way to determine the quality of service is ask around, speak to neighbors or friends.  But, is is embarrassing to have to ask a friend or neighbor who they would go to if a family member is arrested for a crime.  There are good referral sites out there but they all seem to be selling ads to the same attorneys that are listed on their sites.  There needs to be a better way, a more reliable service to get information about a lawyer.  What are your thoughts?