Googling bankruptcy attorneys?

22,000 people per month search the term “Bankruptcy New York” on Google

When searching for just about anything, Google is often the first place people turn. The search for bankruptcy attorneys is no exception. A staggering 22,000 people per month search the term “Bankruptcy New York” on Google. Bankruptcy blogs are all the rage. After all, what better way to find a bankruptcy attorney, paint store or even great sushi than simply googling: “New York City bankruptcy attorney” “Los Angeles paint store” or “best sushi in Manhattan“? People trust Google, in part, because there is an implied meritocracy associated with the hierarchy of its results. The firm in the first place position is often there because they’ve been in business for awhile and therefore have an established website that other bankruptcy related sites are linking to. High Google rankings can also be evidence of a large advertising budget which is often indicative of a healthy business. To be sure, there are many excellent bankruptcy attorneys towards the top of Google’s results.

However, as you search for a bankruptcy attorney, be aware that poor search engine rankings are not evidence of a bad attorney. There are excellent bankruptcy attorneys who have little to no web presence or who lack the marketing knowledge necessary to advance their sites in the Google rankings. Despite their marketing shortcomings, many of these bankruptcy attorneys can do an excellent job preparing your case. Armed with this knowledge, give page 2, 3 and yes even page 4 a chance when you search for a bankruptcy attorney. You’re sure to find some hidden gems. There are qualified candidates outside of the revered First Page and effective advocacy is possible “below the fold.”

John O’Connor