Blog

Julians’ Blog. Topics include HighLevel and marketing.

Why Most HighLevel Users Only Use 10% of the Platform

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And How to Start Unlocking the Other 90% If you spend any time in the HighLevel community groups, forums, or Facebook discussions, you will notice a common theme. A lot of users say something like: “I know HighLevel is powerful… but I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface.” Honestly, they are probably right. Over the last few years I have worked with many businesses and agencies u...
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What Are My Options for Answering Phone Calls in My Business?

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If you run a small business, there is a good chance you have experienced this problem. You are busy. You are with a customer. You are driving. You are in a meeting. You are trying to focus. Then the phone rings. You miss the call and think: “I’ll call them back later.” But often, later is too late. Did you know that the chances of winning the business drop significantly if it takes you...
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Is Your Business Suitable for Digital Franchising With HighLevel?

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How to Capture and Follow Up Trade Show Leads with HighLevel A Complete Guide for Exhibitors

In a recent article, I discussed how HighLevel is increasingly becoming the WordPress of CRM and marketing automation, helping power a new generation of digital franchises, SaaSpreneurs and AI-powered operational systems. That article explored the bigger market trend and why more entrepreneurs are moving away from traditional service delivery and towards scalable recurring revenue models buil...
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The Rise of the Digital Franchise: How HighLevel Agencies Are Packaging AI-Powered Business Systems

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Over the past few years, HighLevel has evolved dramatically. At first, most people used it simply as a CRM and marketing automation platform. Then came the rise of white-label SaaS agencies, where consultants and agencies started reselling HighLevel as their own branded software platform. But in 2026, we are now seeing another major shift happen inside the HighLevel ecosystem. Agencie...
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Why Can’t I Edit My HighLevel Dashboard?

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One of the most common frustrations for new HighLevel users is logging in and discovering they cannot edit their dashboard. You may try to move widgets around, add reports, remove sections, customise layouts, or edit dashboard views, and nothing happens. Most people assume this means something is broken. Usually, it is not. The issue is normally caused by permissions and, more specific...
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #7 : Forms, Surveys & Quizzes – 15th September 2026

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Next up in the MarketerM8 Live HighLevel Workshop Series — we’re talking about how to capture better leads and get better data using the tools already built into HighLevel. This week’s workshop: Forms, Surveys & Quizzes in HighLevel📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.67__forms_surveys__quizzes_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want to qualify leads, gather insigh...
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How to Capture and Follow Up Trade Show Leads with HighLevel: A Complete Guide for Exhibitors

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How to Capture and Follow Up Trade Show Leads with HighLevel A Complete Guide for Exhibitors

Trade shows and expos are incredible opportunities to meet potential customers face-to-face, but all too often exhibitors fail to convert leads because their follow-up systems are weak. Research shows that only 32 % of exhibitors can effectively follow up with their leads after a show. If you want to make every interaction count, you need a system for capturing, organising, and nurturing your ...
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Vibe Coding With HighLevel. Where It Works Brilliantly. And Where It Can Go Very Wrong

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There is a lot of excitement right now around “vibe coding”. Using AI tools like Lovable, Bolt, Replit, Cursor, Windsurf or ChatGPT itself, non-developers can now create working software tools surprisingly quickly. In many cases, you can describe what you want in plain English and have a working prototype within hours. As someone heavily involved with HighLevel and marketing automation syste...
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Why Exit Planning Consultants Are Using HighLevel to Prepare Businesses for Sale

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If you spend time working with small and medium-sized businesses preparing for acquisition, succession, management buyouts, or eventual exit, you will already know this: Most businesses are far less organised than they appear on the surface. At first glance, the revenue may look healthy. The business may have a strong reputation, loyal customers, and a solid track record. But once you s...
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How to Migrate From HubSpot to HighLevel in 2026 (And Why More SMEs Are Doing It)

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For years, HubSpot has been one of the best-known CRM systems in the world. And honestly, that made complete sense. HubSpot solved a huge problem for small businesses. “Get started with a free CRM.” It was a brilliant offer. Businesses could organise contacts, track deals, manage pipelines, and start bringing some structure into the sales process without needing a massive software b...
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #13 : AI Employee – 3rd November 2026

We’ve made it to Week 13 of the MarketerM8 Live & Updated HighLevel Workshop Series — and this session is focused on helping you get more done with AI, and all managed directly inside HighLevel. This week’s workshop: AI Employee📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.613__ai_employee_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want to get more done using the AI Employee within HighLevel.💸 Free for all HighLevel users With AI rapidly evolving, many business owners worry about AI replacing jobs. But here’s the thing: AI isn’t here to replace employees — it’s here to empower them. You’ll learn how to:✅ Eliminate repetitive admin tasks✅ Free up employee time for meaningful work✅ Reduce stress and improve job satisfaction✅ Boost creativity and productivity You’ll leave ready to implement real-world AI use cases — without anxiety or overwhelm. ✅ Already registered? Your Zoom link is waiting in your inbox✅ Need to book your spot? Do it here: Click to register 📚 Want to revisit or catch up on the full series?👉 Browse the complete 12-week workshop menu Let’s get you set up to scale — with paid traffic that flows right into your pipeline. See you there?
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #12 : Advanced Marketing – 20th October 2026

We’ve made it to Week 12 of the MarketerM8 Live & Updated HighLevel Workshop Series — and this workshop is focused on helping you take your marketing to a higher level with HighLevel. This week’s workshop: Advanced Marketing in HighLevel📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.617__advanced_marketing_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want more advanced marketing using HighLevel💸 Free for all HighLevel users The workshop has a loose structure as we anticipate this will be highly influenced by to topics, issues and ideas that attendees bring to the workshop. But so far these are the topics we are planning to cover: ✅ Visually map out your marketing and sales system so every campaign and automation fits into a clear strategy (this was so popular when I mentioned this in an earlier workshop that it had to be included) ✅ Set up WhatsApp Business for marketing so you are not just relying only on email and SMS ✅ Use MarketerM8 snapshots and templates that can dramatically speed up your HighLevel setup. Use AI to draft and respond to client reviews, use AI to follow up with referrals and set up an evergreen prospect nurture campaign. ✅ Share and exchange marketing strategies and tactics that are working right now with other attendees (and myself). This workshop is much more collaborative than most of the others. It is part training, part discussion, and a great opportunity to pick up advanced HighLevel ideas you can apply immediately. Whether you are new to HighLevel or already a seasoned pro, this session will help you think about HighLevel marketing in a more structured way. ✅ Already registered? Your Zoom link is waiting in your inbox✅ Need to book your spot? Do it here: Click to register 📚 Want to revisit or catch up on the full series?👉 Browse the complete 12-week workshop menu Let’s get you set up to scale — with paid traffic that flows right into your pipeline. See you there?
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #11 : eCommerce & Ad Manager – 13th October 2026

This week, we’re diving into how to advertise and sell products online, all from inside HighLevel. This week’s workshop: eCommerce & Ad Manager📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.611__ecommerce_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users looking to advertise and sell products and services online, take payments and electronically sign contracts and documents. 💸 Free for all HighLevel users If you’ve been using other platforms to sell your products or manage referrals — this is your chance to bring it all under one roof. You’ll learn how to:✅ Set up digital and physical products in HighLevel ✅ Integrate Shopify & WooCommerce with HighLevel eCommerce ✅ Build order forms, upsells, and simple checkout pages✅ Set up and manager Facebook and Google Ads in the HighLevel Ad Manager✅ Use workflows to automate post-purchase follow-up and fulfilment ✅ Create and sign documents electronically – just like Docusign Whether you’re selling a course, a coaching package, or a physical product — this workshop will help you build a system that works while you sleep. ✅ Already registered? Check your inbox for your Zoom link✅ Not booked in yet? Grab your free place here: Click to register 📚 Want to review the full series?👉 View the full 12-week workshop menu Let’s get your sales system running — and make it scalable. See you there?
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How to Get More Google Reviews. 5 Proven Strategies That Actually Work (Including How to Automate the Entire Process)

Quick Answer If you’re looking for the fastest way to generate more Google reviews, the answer is surprisingly simple. Ask every happy customer at the right moment, make leaving a review effortless, and build a system that asks consistently instead of relying on memory. Most businesses don’t struggle because customers are unwilling to leave reviews. They struggle because they ask too late, make the process difficult, or forget to ask altogether. The businesses that consistently collect five-star reviews don’t necessarily provide a better service than everyone else. They simply have a better review process. Throughout this guide I’ll show you not only how to generate more genuine Google reviews, but also how AI and automation with HighLevel can remove much of the work for both your team and your customers. Key Takeaways Google rewards businesses that receive a regular stream of authentic reviews. Asking immediately after delivering value consistently outperforms asking days or weeks later. The easier you make it to leave a review, the more reviews you’ll receive. Most customers don’t dislike leaving reviews. They dislike having to write them. AI can help customers express their experience in their own words without writing fake reviews. Automation ensures every happy customer receives a review request, not just the ones you remember. Reviews should be the start of your customer advocacy journey, not the end. Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever Twenty years ago, people asked their neighbours for recommendations. Today they ask Google (and AI searches). Whether someone is looking for a restaurant, accountant, dentist, plumber, solicitor, consultant or software provider, one of the first things they check is your reviews. Your Google Business Profile has effectively become your digital shop window. Potential customers often decide whether to contact you before they’ve even visited your website. That’s why reviews influence far more than your online reputation. Local search rankings Google Maps visibility Click-through rates Customer trust Enquiry rates Sales conversion Repeat business It’s no exaggeration to say that two businesses offering an almost identical service can receive dramatically different numbers of enquiries simply because one has hundreds of recent, well-written reviews while the other has a handful of older ones. Reviews have become social proof at scale. Google Isn’t Looking for Perfect Businesses Here’s something many business owners misunderstand. Google doesn’t expect perfection. It expects authenticity. A business with 400 reviews averaging 4.8 stars often appears more trustworthy than one with 12 reviews averaging 5.0. Why? Because customers understand that no business can please every single person. A steady stream of genuine reviews tells both Google and potential customers that your business is active, trusted and continuing to serve real people. That steady flow is far more important than collecting twenty reviews during one month and then none for the next year. Consistency beats intensity. The Rise of AI Search Something else has changed over the past couple of years. People are no longer just typing questions into Google. They’re asking ChatGPT. They’re asking Gemini. They’re asking Claude. They’re asking Perplexity. Instead of searching: Best accountant near me People increasingly ask: Which accountant in Manchester has the best reviews for small businesses? AI assistants are becoming another layer between customers and search engines. That makes your online reputation even more valuable. Not only do reviews influence Google’s local search results, they also provide evidence that AI systems can use when assessing which businesses appear credible and well regarded. The businesses that consistently receive authentic, descriptive reviews are creating signals that benefit both traditional search engines and emerging AI search experiences. The Biggest Mistake Most Businesses Make Whenever I ask a business owner how they collect Google reviews, the answer is usually something like this. “We ask when we remember.” Or… “We send an email every few months.” Or perhaps… “We mention it at the bottom of our invoices.” None of those approaches are really a system. They’re good intentions. Unfortunately, good intentions don’t produce consistent results. The businesses generating dozens or even hundreds of Google reviews every year aren’t necessarily asking more persuasively. They’re asking more consistently. That’s a huge difference. Stop Asking Occasionally. Start Building a System. Imagine two dentists. Both provide excellent treatment. Both have friendly staff. Both genuinely care about their patients. Dentist A asks for reviews whenever the receptionist remembers. Dentist B has an automated process that requests feedback after every completed appointment. Who do you think collects more reviews? Exactly. The quality of the service may be identical. The quality of the process isn’t. Introducing The Review Journey Most businesses think review generation looks like this. Complete the work ↓ Ask for a review That’s far too simplistic. I prefer to think of it as The Review Journey. Deliver Outstanding Service ↓ Confirm Customer Satisfaction ↓ Collect Feedback ↓ Request a Review ↓ Respond to the Review ↓ Showcase the Review ↓ Ask for a Referral ↓ Create a Case Study ↓ Generate Repeat Business ↓ Build a Customer Advocate Notice something. The review isn’t the destination. It’s simply another milestone in building a long-term relationship with your customer. That’s an important mindset shift. The Psychology Behind Great Reviews Here’s an interesting question. If someone has genuinely enjoyed working with your business, why don’t they automatically leave a review? It’s rarely because they don’t want to help. It’s usually because life gets in the way. They’re busy. They intend to do it later. Then later becomes next week. Next week becomes never. There’s another reason too. One that hardly anyone talks about. The Blank Page Problem I believe this is one of the biggest obstacles preventing businesses from collecting more reviews. Let’s imagine you’ve just received this email. We’d really appreciate it if you could leave us a Google review. You click the link. Google opens. A blank text box appears. Now what? Suddenly you’re expected to become a copywriter. You begin wondering… What should I say? How long should it be? Will it sound silly? Have other people written something Read more…
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🎓 HighLevel Live Training Workshop #13 : AI Employee – 3rd November 2026

We’ve made it to Week 13 of the MarketerM8 Live & Updated HighLevel Workshop Series — and this session is focused on helping you get more done with AI, and all managed directly inside HighLevel. This week’s workshop: AI Employee📅 Live on Tuesday {{custom_values.613__ai_employee_date}} at 12 noon (via Zoom)🎯 Who it’s for: HighLevel users who want to get more done using the AI Employee within HighLevel.💸 Free for all HighLevel users With AI rapidly evolving, many business owners worry about AI replacing jobs. But here’s the thing: AI isn’t here to replace employees — it’s here to empower them. You’ll learn how to:✅ Eliminate repetitive admin tasks✅ Free up employee time for meaningful work✅ Reduce stress and improve job satisfaction✅ Boost creativity and productivity You’ll leave ready to implement real-world AI use cases — without anxiety or overwhelm. ✅ Already registered? Your Zoom link is waiting in your inbox✅ Need to book your spot? Do it here: Click to register 📚 Want to revisit or catch up on the full series?👉 Browse the complete 12-week workshop menu Let’s get you set up to scale — with paid traffic that flows right into your pipeline. See you there?
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🐶 How Dog Groomers Can Use HighLevel Alongside Fresha, Gingr and Other Grooming Software

Dog groomers can use HighLevel alongside booking systems like Fresha, Gingr and PetExec to automate enquiries, improve rebooking, capture reviews and grow their business through marketing automation. The Reality of Running a Dog Grooming Business Dog grooming is a repeat-cycle business. Most dogs return every 4 to 8 weeks, meaning retention is just as important as new bookings. Most groomers use: Fresha Gingr PetExec Square Appointments These systems manage bookings, payments and diaries extremely well. But they do not actively grow your business. The real challenge is making sure every enquiry becomes a booking and every customer returns regularly. ⚙️ What Grooming Software Does Well Online booking systems Pet records and grooming notes Vaccination tracking Payments and invoicing Staff scheduling They are essential operational tools. But they do not handle marketing, follow-up or customer reactivation. 🚀 Where HighLevel Fits In HighLevel sits on top of your grooming system as the growth engine. Instant enquiry responses Missed call recovery AI Voice Receptionist WhatsApp messaging + voice calls Automated rebooking reminders Google & Facebook review automation Video testimonial collection Seasonal campaigns Google Ads tracking Customer reactivation Grooming software runs your diary. HighLevel grows your business. 📞 AI Voice Receptionist (24/7 Front Desk) Dog groomers miss calls during the day and outside working hours. HighLevel’s AI Voice Receptionist answers every call automatically and acts like a real receptionist. Answers pricing questions Takes booking requests Captures customer details Identifies urgent grooming needs Books appointments directly Stores everything in your CRM 🐶 Real Example A customer calls at 9pm: My Cockapoo is really matted and needs grooming urgently. The AI captures details, checks urgency and books the appointment immediately. 🎧 Live Demo: 07458 008090 📅 Rebooking Automation (Core Revenue Driver) Dogs need grooming every 4–8 weeks, but customers forget. HighLevel sends automatic reminders: “Bella is due for her next groom. Would you like to book your next appointment?” This dramatically increases repeat bookings. 📣 Missed Calls Turn Into Bookings If you miss a call while grooming, HighLevel automatically: Sends instant SMS reply Captures details Offers booking links Follows up until response No enquiry is lost. ⭐ Google, Facebook & Video Testimonials HighLevel automates review requests across Google and Facebook. It also captures video testimonials, which are far more powerful for grooming businesses. Before and after grooming videos Dog transformations Owner feedback These can be used on: Websites Google Ads Social media WhatsApp campaigns 💬 WhatsApp Messaging + Voice Calling Dog owners prefer WhatsApp communication. Messages Photos of dogs Appointment confirmations Customer updates Voice calls on desktop and mobile You communicate where your customers already are. 📊 Google Ads for High-Intent Customers Google Ads captures customers actively searching: Dog groomer near me Puppy grooming Mobile dog grooming Dog nail clipping HighLevel tracks every lead from click to booking. 🎯 Seasonal Marketing Campaigns Dog grooming demand changes throughout the year. 🌞 Summer Campaigns Summer cuts De-shedding Coat thinning “Keep your dog cool this summer. Book early before slots fill up.” 🎄 Christmas Campaigns Festive grooming Christmas packages Priority booking “Christmas grooming slots are now open. Book early to secure your appointment.” 🍂 Autumn Campaigns Shedding treatments Winter prep grooming ❄️ Winter Campaigns Mud removal Post-storm grooming January reactivation campaigns You are no longer waiting for demand. You are creating it. 🧠 Julian Mills’ View Most grooming businesses already have good booking systems. The issue is not operations. It is communication. Are enquiries followed up instantly? Are missed calls recovered? Are customers reminded to rebook? Are reviews consistently generated? Are seasonal opportunities being used? HighLevel does not replace grooming software. It fixes everything around it that drives growth. 🔄 Do You Need Both Systems? Yes. Grooming software = bookings and operations HighLevel = marketing and growth 🧩 Integration Is the Real Opportunity Every grooming business is different. The value is not replacement, it is integration. HighLevel connects enquiries, calls, ads, WhatsApp and follow-ups into one system. 📞 Book a Free Discovery Call We will map how HighLevel integrates with your grooming software and identify growth opportunities. Enquiry flow analysis Booking system review Automation opportunities WhatsApp + AI Voice setup Google Ads strategy 👉 https://www.julianmills.co.uk/discovery
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