The Best Way to Take Orders Online Using Simple Web Forms? Jotform vs HighLevel.

using simpel webforms to tak orders. how does highlevel and jotform compare

using simpel webforms to tak orders. how does highlevel and jotform compare

Taking orders online should be simple.

But in reality, it often is not.

You either end up with clunky checkout systems, or you are forced to send customers away from your website just to complete a purchase. Both create friction. And friction costs sales.

Recently, I rebuilt how I take orders for my book – The Entrepreneurs Marketing System using a much simpler approach. A simple web form, embedded directly on my website.

That is what led me to compare Jotform and HighLevel.

So which one is actually the best way to take orders online?

A Simpler Way to Take Orders Online

Instead of sending people off-site to complete a purchase, I now use an embedded web form on my WordPress website.

That form is connected directly to a product inside HighLevel (MarketerM8).

The result is simple.

The customer stays on the page.
They complete the form.
They make the payment.
Done.

No redirects. No confusion. No unnecessary steps.

Why This Matters for Conversion

This is not just about making things look nicer.

It directly impacts your conversion rate.

A simpler checkout works because:

  • fewer clicks means fewer drop-offs
  • staying on one page builds trust
  • the buying experience feels consistent
  • you reduce decision fatigue

In short, the easier it is to buy, the more people will buy.

Jotform vs HighLevel. Can They Both Take Payments?

To be fair, yes. Both platforms can handle payments.

Jotform allows you to create payment forms using integrations like Stripe and PayPal.

If your only goal is to collect a payment through a form, Jotform does the job well.

But this is where the comparison starts to shift.

If you are exploring forms, surveys and quizzes properly, and how they connect to your wider marketing, this is something I cover inside my HighLevel Forms, Surveys and Quizzes workshop.

Because once you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, this is not just about forms anymore.

Forms Are Not Just Forms Anymore

This is the key mindset shift.

A form is not just a way to collect information or take a payment.

It is the entry point into your entire marketing and sales system.

With the right setup, a simple form can:

  • capture and segment leads automatically
  • trigger personalised follow-up sequences
  • route opportunities into pipelines
  • qualify prospects before you speak to them

That is where the difference between a form builder and a full platform becomes very clear.

The Real Difference. Forms vs Full Sales System

Jotform is excellent at what it does.

But it is still a form tool.

It handles the transaction, and then you need to figure out everything that happens next.

With HighLevel through MarketerM8, that next step is already built in.

When someone places an order, I can:

  • add them straight into my CRM
  • apply tags automatically
  • trigger confirmation emails
  • start follow-up sequences
  • invite them into future campaigns
  • track their journey long term

So instead of a one-off transaction, it becomes part of a complete customer journey.

The Pricing Perspective

This is where people often look first.

Jotform pricing can make sense if you only need forms.

But once you start adding:

  • email marketing
  • CRM
  • automation tools
  • SMS follow-up
  • pipelines

You quickly end up stacking multiple tools.

HighLevel, on the other hand, bundles all of this into one system.

That is why I often describe it as the WordPress of CRM and marketing systems.

At that point, it stops being a pricing comparison.

It becomes a systems comparison.

The Bigger Lesson

When you compare Jotform and HighLevel, you are not really comparing like-for-like.

You are comparing:

  • a form builder
  • a full marketing and sales system

If all you need is a form, Jotform is a solid option.

If you want to take orders, automate follow-up, manage customers, and build long-term relationships, you need something more connected.

That is why I made the switch.

Simpler checkout.
Better experience.
Fewer tools.
More control.

Want to See How This Works in Practice?

If you want to see exactly how to build this kind of setup, including forms, surveys and quizzes that feed directly into your CRM and automation, you can register for one of our free live workshops here:

View upcoming MarketerM8 workshops

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist. About Julian Mills.

How to Turn Networking Into Sales Using HighLevel and AI Powered Smart Follow-Up

How HighLevel can turn Networking into new business opportunities

How HighLevel can turn Networking into new business opportunities

If you enjoy networking, you’re already ahead of most business owners.

You show up.
You have conversations.
You build relationships.

That’s the hard part.

But here’s the reality.

That’s not where most of the value comes from.

The Bit Most People Get Wrong

I’ve seen this over and over again.

Someone goes to a networking event. Could be BNI, the Federation of Small Businesses, a local Chamber, or groups like 4Networking or Entrepreneurs Circle.

They have a great morning.

Good conversations. A few solid one-to-ones lined up. A handful of business cards.

They leave thinking:

“I’ll follow up next week.”

Here’s what actually happens.

Next week comes.
You’re busy.
You can’t quite remember who’s who.
And the moment has gone.

It’s not a motivation problem.

It’s a systems problem.

The Hidden Cost of “I’ll Follow Up Later”

Most networkers rely on:

  • A stack of business cards
  • Notes scribbled somewhere
  • Memory

That works, until it doesn’t.

Because the real value in networking is not the first conversation.

It’s what happens after it.

Or more accurately.

What doesn’t happen.

Capture the Contact Properly

This is where HighLevel starts to make a difference.

Instead of putting business cards in your pocket and dealing with them later, you deal with them there and then.

Using the mobile app, you can:

  • Scan the business card
  • Instantly capture the contact details
  • Add notes while the conversation is still fresh

But here’s where it gets more interesting.

HighLevel uses AI, powered by ChatGPT, to help structure and enhance that data.

So instead of just storing a contact, you can start building context around it straight away.

Now Think About This

You’ve just had a good conversation with someone.

They walk away.

What normally happens?

Nothing.

Maybe a call a few days later. Maybe not.

Now compare that to this.

The HighLevel Way With AI Doing the Heavy Lifting

You scan the card.
You tag the contact.
And the system takes over.

  • A message goes out while they still remember you
  • A follow-up email lands the next day
  • They’re added to your pipeline
  • You get a reminder to follow up

But it doesn’t stop there.

Using AI, you can:

  • Generate personalised follow-up messages in seconds
  • Adjust tone and style depending on the contact
  • Draft emails based on your notes from the conversation

So instead of staring at a blank screen thinking “what do I say?”, the system gives you a starting point.

A Quick Trade Show Example

If you’ve ever manned a trade show stand, you’ll know this one.

End of the day.

You’ve got a nice stack of business cards.

You go home thinking you’ve had a productive day.

Then the next day you start calling.

And it’s painful.

  • People don’t answer unknown numbers
  • They don’t remember you
  • You spend days chasing

It’s not their fault.

You were just one of many conversations that day.

Now imagine doing it differently.

You’re at the stand. You speak to someone. They hand you their card.

You scan it immediately.

AI helps you draft a quick follow-up based on your notes.

They get a message while the conversation is still fresh.

You follow up the next day with something useful.

Or better still.

You book a call there and then, straight into your calendar, with reminders sent automatically.

That’s a completely different experience.

This Is Where It Gets Interesting

Most people stop at “capture and follow-up”.

But this is where HighLevel really comes into its own.

Turn Your Contacts Into a Warm Audience

Instead of one-off follow-ups, you stay visible.

Not in an annoying way.

In a consistent, helpful way.

AI can even help here by:

  • Suggesting content ideas
  • Drafting emails for your newsletter
  • Repurposing your thoughts into useful updates

You’re not chasing.

You’re building familiarity.

Segment Your Network Properly

Not everyone you meet is the same.

Some are:

  • Potential clients
  • Referral partners
  • Just good connections

HighLevel lets you organise this properly.

And with AI layered on top, you can tailor communication faster without writing everything from scratch.

Never Rely on Memory Again

You know those conversations where you say:

“I’ll drop them a message in a month.”

And then forget.

That’s gone.

You can build in:

  • 30 day follow-ups
  • 60 day check-ins
  • Longer-term nurture

And when those moments come around, AI can help you quickly craft the message.

Use SMS and WhatsApp With a Personal Touch

Networking is personal.

So your follow-up should be too.

A simple message like:

“Hi John, good to meet you this morning.”

Will get read.

AI helps you scale that without losing the human feel.

Or Skip Business Cards Completely

Here’s something else I’m seeing more of.

People not using business cards at all.

Instead:

  • You create a simple page
  • Generate a QR code
  • People enter their details directly

Now combine that with AI-driven follow-up.

You’ve got:

  • Accurate data
  • Instant engagement
  • Personalised communication from the start

The Big Shift

Here’s what this really comes down to.

Most people treat networking like a series of conversations.

HighLevel turns it into a system.

And AI makes that system faster, smarter, and easier to maintain.

So instead of:

Meeting people and hoping something happens

You move to:

Meeting people, structured follow-up, AI-assisted communication, measurable results

Final Thought

If you’re already good at networking, this is a big opportunity.

Because you don’t need more conversations.

You need to get more value from the ones you’re already having.

HighLevel gives you the system.

AI helps you run it consistently.

Want to See How This Could Work for You?

If you’d like to map this out for your business, we can keep it simple.

We’ll look at how you currently network, where things are dropping off, and build a system around it.

Book a discovery call and let’s turn your networking into something that actually drives consistent business.

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist. About Julian Mills.

Tawk.to vs HighLevel: Why I moved from Tawk.to to HighLevel for Live Chat, CRM and Automation?

talk.to vompared to HighLevel. Why I moved form Talk.to to HighLevel

talk.to compared to HighLevel. Why I moved from Talk.to to HighLevelIf you are currently using Tawk.to for live chat, you are not alone. It is one of the most popular free chat tools available. It is simple, reliable, and does exactly what it says on the tin.

But if you are starting to think about CRM, automation, follow-up, and scaling your marketing, you may be asking a bigger question.

Is Tawk.to still enough, or is it time to move to HighLevel?

In this article, I will break down:

  • How Tawk.to and HighLevel compare
  • When Tawk.to is still a good choice
  • Why many businesses are moving to HighLevel
  • Whether you can integrate the two
  • My own experience using both platforms

My Experience: From Tawk.to to HighLevel

I used Tawk.to for years.

I genuinely liked it and was actually sad to remove it from my site. It was free, easy to install, and worked well. At the time, I was using a different CRM and had stitched things together using Zapier as best I could. It worked, but only just.

Leads would come in via chat, then get pushed into the CRM, then maybe into email follow-up. It was functional, but fragmented.

At that point, I did not really have a better alternative.

Then I discovered HighLevel.

Initially, HighLevel replaced my CRM. But what surprised me was that it also had built-in live chat, fully integrated with everything else. Not bolted on. Not patched together. Fully native.

And that changed everything.

Feature Comparison: Tawk.to vs HighLevel

1. Live Chat Functionality

Tawk.to

  • Excellent live chat tool
  • Real-time messaging
  • Mobile app support
  • Chat triggers and basic automation
  • Completely free (with optional paid add-ons)

HighLevel

  • Built-in live chat across websites and funnels
  • Conversations unified in one inbox (SMS, email, WhatsApp, social)
  • Chat tied directly to contact records and pipelines
  • Works seamlessly with automation workflows

Verdict:
Tawk.to is excellent as a standalone chat tool. HighLevel wins if you want chat connected to your entire business system.

2. CRM and Contact Management

Tawk.to

  • Very limited CRM functionality
  • Basic visitor tracking
  • No real pipeline or opportunity management

HighLevel

  • Full CRM system
  • Sales pipelines and opportunity tracking
  • Contact timelines and activity tracking
  • Segmentation and tagging

Verdict:
There is no real comparison here. Tawk.to is not designed to be a CRM. HighLevel is.

3. Automation and Follow-Up

Tawk.to

  • Basic triggers and canned responses
  • No advanced automation
  • Requires third-party tools like Zapier for anything more advanced

HighLevel

  • Advanced workflow automation
  • Multi-channel follow-up (email, SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger)
  • Lead nurturing sequences
  • Appointment reminders and reactivation campaigns

Verdict:
If you care about speed-to-lead and consistent follow-up, HighLevel is on a completely different level.

4. AI Capabilities

Tawk.to

  • Includes AI on the free plan
  • Comes with 100 AI messages per month
  • Useful for basic automated responses and simple queries
  • No Voice AI capability
  • Voice is available as a paid add-on, but it is not AI-driven

HighLevel

  • AI built across the entire platform, not just chat
  • AI chat responses and conversation handling
  • AI used inside workflows for personalised follow-up
  • Voice AI agents that can answer calls, qualify leads, and book appointments
  • AI integrated with CRM, pipelines, and automation

Verdict:
Tawk.to has introduced AI, which is a nice addition for a free tool. However, it is limited in scope. HighLevel uses AI across the whole system, which makes it far more powerful in practice.

5. Pricing

Tawk.to

  • Free core product
  • Paid add-ons for agents and voice

HighLevel

  • Paid platform (typically from around ÂŁ97 per month)
  • Includes CRM, automation, funnels, email, SMS, chat, and more

Verdict:
Being free Tawk.to wins on price. But then, HighLevel is a suite of over 20 sophisticated marketing tools

Why Tawk.to Users Move to HighLevel

1. You want everything in one place

Instead of separate tools for chat, CRM, email, SMS, and bookings, HighLevel brings everything together in one system.

2. You want better follow-up

With Tawk.to, a missed chat can mean a lost lead. With HighLevel, every conversation becomes a contact and automated follow-up starts immediately.

3. You want visibility of your pipeline

Tawk.to shows conversations. HighLevel shows where leads are in your pipeline and what needs to happen next.

4. You want to use AI in your business

HighLevel allows you to automate conversations, follow-ups, and even phone calls using AI.

Can You Integrate Tawk.to with HighLevel?

Yes, but with limitations.

You can connect Tawk.to to HighLevel using tools like Zapier or webhooks. For example, when a chat comes in, the contact can be pushed into HighLevel for follow-up.

However, this adds complexity, introduces potential delays, and creates another point of failure.

This is exactly where I was before switching.

Once I moved to HighLevel’s built-in chat, I removed that entire layer and everything worked together seamlessly.

Tawk.to vs HighLevel – In a Nutshell

If you strip everything back, the choice is actually very simple.

Tawk.to

  • A genuinely excellent standalone live chat tool
  • Free to use, including 100 AI messages per month
  • Simple, reliable, and easy to install
  • Works well if chat is all you need

If all you want is a great standalone live chat system that is free, then Tawk.to is a very solid option.

HighLevel

  • A powerful live chat system fully integrated into a CRM
  • AI and Voice AI built into the platform
  • Multi-channel communication including SMS, email, WhatsApp, and social messaging
  • Over 20 marketing tools including funnels, automation, pipelines, email marketing, and more
  • Everything works together in one system

HighLevel is not just a chat tool. It is a complete marketing and sales platform.

The Real Difference

Tawk.to is a standalone tool.

HighLevel is an integrated system of over 20 tools, all working together.

Final Thoughts

I still have a soft spot for Tawk.to. It is a brilliant tool, especially considering it is free.

But the reason I switched was simple.

HighLevel gave me a fully integrated system. And it is the #1 Marketing automation system as ranked by BuiltWith (over 2M users cannot be wrong)

No more patching tools together. No more relying on third-party connections for basic workflows. No more disconnected conversations.

Just one platform where everything works together.

And once you experience that, it is very hard to go back.


Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.
About Julian Mills

Check out my HighLevel agency here – MarketerM8.com
Check out Tawk.to here.

Why Are My SMS Messages So Expensive in HighLevel?

why are my highlevel sms text costs so high

why are my highlevel sms text costs so highI was recently asked by a new MarketerM8 subscriber why his text message sending costs were so high.

He thought MarketerM8 was charging a hefty premium. Some of his messages were costing over 25p, not the roughly 6p you would expect for a standard 160 character SMS segment.

That didn’t sound right.

So I dug into it to understand exactly what was going on. Once I worked it out, it became clear this is something a lot of users misunderstand. That is why I have put this post together, to explain what is really happening with HighLevel SMS costs.

What Is a 160 Character SMS Segment?

A standard SMS message allows up to 160 characters.

If your message goes over that limit, it does not stay as one message. It gets split into multiple segments, and you are charged for each segment.

For example:

  • 1-160 characters = 1 SMS segment
  • 161-306 characters = 2 segments
  • 307-459 characters = 3 segments

So a slightly longer message can instantly double or triple your cost.

It is also worth noting that on your personal mobile phone, especially if you are on an unlimited text tariff, you never really notice this happening.

You can send a long message, well over 160 characters, and it arrives as one seamless message on the recipient’s phone. Behind the scenes, your network is stitching multiple segments together to deliver that single message experience.

Because you are not being charged per segment in that context, it is completely invisible.

But in platforms like HighLevel, where you are paying per segment, that invisible behaviour suddenly becomes very visible in your costs.

Why HighLevel Messages Often Cost More

There are a few common reasons your SMS costs are higher than expected:

1. It’s About Segments, Not Messages

Even slightly longer texts can push you into multiple segments. This is the biggest reason costs creep up.

2. Unicode Reduces Your Character Limit

If your message contains certain characters, it switches from standard SMS (GSM-7) to Unicode.

When that happens:

  • Standard SMS = 160 characters per segment
  • Unicode SMS = 70 characters per segment

So your cost per message can more than double.

3. What Actually Triggers Unicode

Unicode is triggered by the characters used, not the tools you use.

Common triggers include:

  • Emojis
  • Smart quotes
  • Special characters like Ă©, ÂŁ, €
  • Non-standard symbols

4. Do Merge Fields Increase SMS Costs?

This is a common misunderstanding.

Using merge fields like:

  • {{contact.first_name}}
  • {{contact.email}}

does NOT automatically increase your SMS cost or turn your message into Unicode.

However, the data inside the merge field can.

Example:

Hi {{contact.first_name}}, your appointment is booked.

If the name is:

  • John = standard SMS = 160 characters per segment

But if the name is:

  • JosĂ©
  • ChloĂ«

Now your message includes special characters. The entire message becomes Unicode. That means 70 characters per segment.

5. Hidden Characters from Copy and Paste

One of the biggest silent cost drivers.

If you copy text from Word, websites, or emails, you may accidentally include:

  • Curly quotes
  • Hidden symbols
  • Non-standard spaces

These can trigger Unicode without you realising.

6. Longer Marketing Messages

It is easy to write longer messages when you are:

  • Promoting offers
  • Sending reminders
  • Explaining next steps

But every extra sentence increases the chance of hitting another segment.

How to Reduce SMS Costs in HighLevel

A few simple tweaks can make a big difference:

  • Keep messages short and direct
  • Avoid emojis unless necessary
  • Use plain text instead of smart punctuation
  • Be cautious with merge field data (names with accents, etc.)
  • Avoid copy and paste from formatted sources
  • Test messages before sending

A Couple Of Simple But Powerful Tips

Link to a webpage /funnel page

This is one of the best tips I picked up from a client years ago is this.

If you have a longer or more complex message to get across, do not try to squeeze everything into the SMS.

Keep your text message within 160 characters and use it to drive a click.

Then send the reader to a dedicated landing page where you have unlimited space to explain your offer properly.

You reduce your SMS costs and improve your marketing at the same time.

Use Shorter Links to Save Characters

Another simple win. Keep your links as short as possible.

Long URLs can quickly eat into your character count and push you into another segment.

In HighLevel, you already have a built-in way to handle this:

Settings > Domains & URL Redirects > URL Redirects

Strictly speaking, this is not a traditional URL shortener like Bit.ly. But it does allow you to create shorter, cleaner, branded links using your own domain.

That is actually a big advantage.

Using your own domain looks more trustworthy and can help with deliverability. Spam filters can sometimes flag public link shorteners like Bit.ly, because they are commonly used to mask suspicious links.

So by shortening your links inside HighLevel, you are not only reducing character count. You are also keeping your messages cleaner, more professional, and less likely to run into filtering issues.

Keep an Eye on Your Billing

Another very practical habit.

Keep a regular eye on your itemised billing and look for messages that are costing more than expected.

In HighLevel, you can do this here:

Settings > Billing > Wallet & Transactions > Detailed Transactions

This allows you to quickly scan through and spot any texts that are costing more than they should.

If you want to go deeper, export the transactions and review them in Excel or Google Sheets. That way you can:

  • Sort by cost
  • Identify patterns
  • Spot problem messages quickly

This is often the fastest way to diagnose what is really driving your SMS costs.

Final Thought

HighLevel is not overcharging you. It is simply passing on telecom pricing based on how SMS actually works.

Once you understand segments and Unicode, you can control your costs far more effectively.

And importantly. It is not the merge fields causing the cost increase. It is the characters that sometimes come with them.


Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.
About Julian Mills

Looking to get started with HighLevel – check out my HighLevel agency MarketerM8.com

Why Your HighLevel Sub Account Has Restricted Tools & Features (And How To Fix It)

why is my highlevel account restricted and missing tools and features

why is my highlevel account restricted and missing tools and featuresIf you’ve logged into HighLevel and noticed features missing, limited, or not behaving as expected, you’re not imagining it.

This is one of the most common frustrations for HighLevel users in the UK and globally.

The key thing to understand is this. Not all HighLevel accounts have access to the same features.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly why this happens, what you might be missing, and the most cost-effective way to unlock the full platform.

The 4 Main Reasons HighLevel Features Are Missing

Let’s go through the four most common scenarios.

1. You Bought Your Account Through a White Label Agency

Many businesses access HighLevel through a white label provider.

This often includes onboarding, support, and pre-built systems, which is valuable.

However, agencies can control which features are available based on the plan you are on.

What This Means

You may not have access to:

  • Certain automation features
  • AI tools
  • Advanced integrations
  • Premium functionality reserved for higher tiers

What To Do

Contact your agency and ask:

  • What features are included in your plan
  • What is restricted
  • What upgrade options are available

In most cases, upgrading your plan with them will unlock the missing features.

2. You Signed Up Directly (Starter or Unlimited Plan Limitations)

If you went directly to HighLevel, or you’ve been given a sub account from someone on a Starter or Unlimited Agency plan, you may still be limited.

Even though you are using HighLevel, you may not have access to the full ecosystem.

Features Commonly Missing

As of now, these can include:

  • Advanced AI features
  • Full API access
  • Custom Objects
  • Kollab (courses and communities marketplace)

These are typically only available through SaaS / Pro-level agency accounts.

Who This Affects Most

You’ll feel this limitation if you are:

  • Building advanced automations
  • Integrating with external systems
  • Running a SaaS or agency model
  • Creating structured data systems
  • Delivering courses or communities

3. The Feature Exists, But It’s Not Set Up Properly

Before assuming your account is restricted, it’s worth checking something simpler.

Sometimes the feature is there. It just hasn’t been configured.

HighLevel relies heavily on correct setup.

Common Setup Issues

  • AI tools not visible due to settings or permissions
  • Email not working due to domain or Mailgun configuration
  • Phone, SMS or WhatsApp not working due to Twilio setup
  • API access not functioning due to permissions or configuration
  • Workflows not running due to missing triggers or being unpublished

Quick Checklist

  • Is the feature enabled in settings?
  • Are integrations connected?
  • Are domains and sending services verified?
  • Do you have the right user permissions?

If all of that checks out, then you’re likely dealing with a plan limitation instead.

4. The Feature Is Still in Labs (Early Access)

This is one of the biggest causes of confusion right now.

HighLevel releases new features constantly, and many appear first in Labs.

This is essentially early access or beta testing.

Why This Causes Confusion

You might see:

  • YouTube videos showcasing new features
  • Posts in Facebook groups
  • Agencies demonstrating new tools

You log in expecting to see it.

But it’s not there.

That’s because it hasn’t been fully released yet.

What You Need To Know

Features in Labs:

  • May still have bugs
  • May be incomplete
  • May change before full release

Your Options

  • Ask your agency to enable Labs access
  • Wait for the official rollout

Simple Rule

If you’ve seen a feature online but can’t find it, there’s a good chance it’s still in Labs.

HighLevel Plan Comparison (Why Features Differ)

Here’s a simplified breakdown to help you understand where the limitations come from:

Feature / Capability Starter Agency Unlimited Agency SaaS / Pro Agency
Core CRM & Funnels ✅ ✅ ✅
Basic Automations ✅ ✅ ✅
Advanced AI Features ❌ / Limited ❌ / Limited ✅
Full API Access ❌ ❌ ✅
Custom Objects ❌ ❌ ✅
SaaS Mode ❌ ❌ ✅
Kollab (Communities) ❌ ❌ ✅

This is why two people using “HighLevel” can have very different experiences.

How To Unlock Full HighLevel Features

If you’ve identified that your account is restricted, you have two realistic options.

Option 1. Upgrade Your Own Agency Account

You can upgrade to a SaaS / Pro plan (around $497/month).

This gives full access to everything.

However, unless you are running your own SaaS or agency at scale, this is often overkill.

Option 2. Move Your Sub Account to a SaaS / Pro Agency (Smarter Option)

This is usually the most cost-effective route.

You can:

  • Keep your existing data and setup
  • Unlock advanced features
  • Avoid paying for a full agency subscription
  • Get support from an experienced provider

How We Help at MarketerM8

If you’re currently stuck with a restricted HighLevel account, this is exactly what we help with.

At MarketerM8, we operate on a SaaS / Pro HighLevel infrastructure.

That means we can:

  • Accept and migrate your existing sub account
  • Unlock advanced features
  • Help you implement them properly
  • Support you with ongoing optimisation

Whether you’re a business owner, agency, or advanced user, we help you get the most out of HighLevel without unnecessary cost.

Final Thoughts

If features are missing in your HighLevel account, it’s rarely a bug.

It usually comes down to one of four things:

  1. Your agency has restricted your plan
  2. You’re on a Starter or Unlimited account
  3. The feature hasn’t been set up properly
  4. The feature is still in Labs

Once you identify which one applies, the solution becomes clear.

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist. About Julian Mills.

How to Integrate Pabau with HighLevel to Capture, Nurture and Convert More Aesthetic Clinic Leads

integrating Pabau with HighLevel for aesthetic clinics

integrate highlevel and pabau for beauty clinics

If you run an aesthetics clinic and use Pabau to manage your patients, appointments, and treatment history, you are already ahead when it comes to clinic operations.

But there is a gap I see time and time again.

Pabau is excellent at managing patients. It is not designed to capture, nurture, and convert new leads.

And that gap is where revenue is being lost.

Recently, I have been working with an aesthetics clinic in London to map out exactly how to solve this. The objective was simple:

Make sure every new enquiry is captured, followed up properly, and converted into a booked appointment inside Pabau.

The Real Problem. Leads Are Coming In, But Not Being Managed Properly

Most clinics rely on a mix of:

  • Google Ads
  • Facebook / Instagram Ads
  • Instagram DMs
  • Facebook messages
  • Website enquiries
  • WhatsApp
  • Phone calls

The issue is not lead generation.

The issue is what happens next.

In many clinics:

  • Responses are delayed
  • Follow-up is inconsistent
  • There is no structured pipeline
  • Staff are busy with treatments

And the result is predictable:

Leads go cold or go to a competitor who replies faster.

The Solution. HighLevel for Front-End. Pabau for Clinic Management

integrating Pabau with HighLevel for aesthetic clinics

The system we designed separates responsibilities clearly:

  • HighLevel handles lead capture, communication, follow-up, and conversion
  • Pabau remains the system of record for patients and appointments

Think of it like this:

  • HighLevel = Marketing and sales engine
  • Pabau = Patient and clinic management

When connected properly, you create a seamless journey from enquiry to treatment.

The Missing Piece. Sales Pipelines and Opportunities

Inside HighLevel, every new lead becomes an opportunity and is placed into a pipeline.

A typical pipeline for an aesthetics clinic might look like:

  1. New Enquiry
  2. Attempted Contact
  3. Engaged Conversation
  4. Consultation Offered
  5. Consultation Booked
  6. Attended Consultation
  7. Treatment Booked / Won
  8. Lost / No Response

This gives you visibility and control over every enquiry.

You can see:

  • Where leads are
  • Who needs follow-up
  • Where revenue is getting stuck

Moving Leads Through the Pipeline Automatically

We do not just track leads. We actively move them forward.

  • New enquiry. Added to pipeline
  • No response. Automated follow-up
  • Lead replies. Moved to the next stage
  • Staff interaction. Triggers next step
  • Booking link sent. Tracked
  • Consultation booked. Updated automatically

Tasks, reminders, and follow-ups can all be automated.

No lead gets forgotten.

Communicating Across Every Channel Automatically

This is where HighLevel becomes a real advantage.

Instead of relying on one or two communication methods, you can manage and automate conversations across multiple channels from one place:

  • Email
  • SMS
  • Phone calls
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook Messenger
  • Instagram messages

All conversations are centralised, tracked, and tied to the contact record.

So whether a lead replies via Instagram or text, your team sees everything in one timeline.

Going One Step Further. Direct Mail Automation

Most clinics completely overlook this.

With HighLevel, you can even trigger physical direct mail as part of your follow-up using a UK mailing house such as Stannp.

For example:

  • New high-value lead. Send a personalised postcard
  • Consultation no-show. Send a re-engagement letter
  • Past patient. Send a treatment reminder card

This works particularly well for:

  • High-ticket treatments
  • Premium clinics
  • Re-engagement campaigns

It cuts through the noise in a way digital alone often cannot.

How HighLevel and Pabau Work Together

There is no native integration, so we connect the two using:

  • Zapier
  • Webhooks
  • API connections

The key principle is simple:

Nurture leads in HighLevel first. Only send qualified bookings into Pabau.

Practical Integration Examples

1. Lead Capture into HighLevel First

All enquiries go into HighLevel first:

  • Website forms
  • Ads
  • Social messages

This allows instant response and structured follow-up.

2. Consultation Booking Sent to Pabau

  • The lead books via a HighLevel calendar
  • Or a staff member books manually after a conversation

Then:

  • Zapier sends the data to Pabau
  • The appointment is created
  • The patient record is created or updated

3. Pipeline-Based Qualification Before Pabau

Only serious leads are pushed into Pabau.

This keeps your clinic management system clean and efficient, while HighLevel does the work of nurturing and converting enquiries.

4. Pabau Events Trigger HighLevel Automation

When something happens in Pabau, such as:

  • Appointment booked
  • Treatment completed

We can trigger automation back in HighLevel.

Extending Beyond the Booking. Treatment-Specific Follow-Up

Most clinics stop after the appointment.

That is where they lose long-term revenue.

The real value is in what happens after the treatment.

Example. Botox Patient Follow-Up Journey

Once a Botox treatment is completed in Pabau, we can trigger a workflow in HighLevel.

Day 0. Aftercare

  • Immediate SMS or WhatsApp message
  • Clear aftercare instructions
  • Reassurance about what to expect over the next few days

Day 2 to 3. Check-In

  • Automated message asking how they are doing
  • Opportunity for the patient to reply
  • Conversation managed centrally inside HighLevel

Day 10 to 14. Results and Review

  • Check satisfaction
  • Request a review
  • Suggest next steps where appropriate

Month 2. Re-Engagement

  • Educational content
  • Reminder about how long results typically last

Month 3. Rebooking Prompt

  • Direct booking link
  • Staff alerted if there is no response

The Full Patient Journey

When everything is connected properly, the system looks like this:

  1. Lead captured in HighLevel
  2. Nurtured through the pipeline
  3. Consultation booked
  4. Appointment sent to Pabau
  5. Treatment completed
  6. Automated aftercare triggered
  7. Follow-ups and review requests sent
  8. Rebooking reminders delivered
  9. The patient returns without manual chasing

Why This Matters

This approach:

  • Increases conversion rates
  • Improves patient experience
  • Reduces admin time
  • Drives repeat revenue

Most clinics focus on getting the first booking.

The real growth comes from what happens after.

Final Thoughts

Pabau manages patients brilliantly.

HighLevel ensures you consistently turn enquiries into those patients.

When combined properly, you are not just managing a clinic.

You are running a structured, automated growth system.

Want Help Integrating Pabau with HighLevel?

If you are using Pabau and want to build a complete system for lead capture, pipelines, communication, follow-up, and treatment-specific automation, book a discovery call and let’s map out what this could look like for your clinic.

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.

What Is MarTech? Is HighLevel a good example of MarTech?

What is MarTech - highlevel is an ideal example of MarTech

What is MarTech - highlevel is an ideal example of MarTechYou may have started hearing the term MarTech appearing more often in business and marketing conversations. The word is simply a shortened version of marketing technology, and it refers to the software tools businesses use to plan, run, automate, and measure their marketing.

Put simply, MarTech is the technology that powers modern marketing.

Today’s businesses rely on software to capture leads, communicate with prospects, nurture relationships, and track marketing performance. MarTech tools make this possible by bringing these activities into organised digital systems.

What Counts as MarTech?

MarTech covers a wide range of platforms designed to help businesses manage their marketing activities more efficiently.

Common examples include:

  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
  • Email marketing platforms
  • Marketing automation software
  • Website and funnel builders
  • Social media scheduling tools
  • Reputation management and review systems
  • Analytics and reporting platforms
  • AI-driven marketing assistants

These tools allow businesses to reach customers more effectively while automating many of the tasks that once had to be done manually.

Why MarTech Matters

Not long ago, many businesses managed their marketing using spreadsheets, disconnected tools, and manual follow-up processes.

MarTech platforms bring everything together into a more structured system.

With the right MarTech in place, businesses can:

  • Capture enquiries automatically
  • Track where leads come from
  • Follow up with prospects using automated messages
  • Nurture relationships with existing customers
  • Measure the performance of marketing campaigns

This allows even small businesses to operate with the same level of organisation and automation that larger companies have relied on for years.

HighLevel as a Modern MarTech Platform

Highlevel #1 for Marketing Automation Builtwith Oct 2025A good example of a modern MarTech platform is HighLevel.

Rather than using multiple separate tools, HighLevel brings many marketing functions into one system, including:

  • CRM and contact management
  • Email and SMS marketing
  • Website and funnel building
  • Marketing automation workflows
  • Reputation and review management
  • Social media planning
  • Reporting and analytics

By combining these tools into a single platform, businesses can manage much of their marketing activity from one place instead of juggling several different systems.

AI Agents and the Next Stage of MarTech

Another area where HighLevel is pushing MarTech forward is through its use of built-in artificial intelligence.

One example is Voice AI, which can intelligently answer incoming phone calls, speak with callers, capture information, and even book appointments automatically. It can also make outbound calls for tasks such as lead follow-up or appointment reminders.

For many businesses, this effectively provides an AI receptionist that works around the clock.

And the Future? Agent Studio and AI Virtual Assistants

HighLevel goes even further with the introduction of Agent Studio.

Agent Studio allows users to build their own AI-powered virtual assistants inside the platform without needing to write code. These assistants can access CRM data, respond to enquiries, trigger automations, and perform a wide range of routine tasks.

For example, an AI assistant could:

  • Respond to new lead enquiries
  • Qualify prospects by asking questions
  • Update CRM records automatically
  • Create and send personalised video to new leads
  • Trigger marketing workflows
  • Generate follow-up messages or emails
  • Route enquiries to the correct team member

In effect, businesses can now design AI assistants that operate inside their marketing system and help run parts of the business automatically.

A New Direction for MarTech

The MarTech landscape continues to evolve rapidly. While thousands of marketing tools exist, the trend is moving towards fewer platforms that do far more.

Solutions like HighLevel demonstrate how marketing technology is evolving. Instead of simply providing tools, modern MarTech platforms are beginning to provide intelligent systems that help businesses automate and manage large parts of their marketing operation.

With innovations like Voice AI and Agent Studio, businesses can now go beyond automation and start building AI-powered virtual assistants that support their marketing and customer communication.

 

Learn more about HighLevel

> If you would like to learn more about HighLevel – visit MarketerM8 – a HighLevel Agency

> Book a 1-2-1 Discovery Call with Julian

 

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist. About Julian Mills.

Daymond John Aligns With HighLevel. What This Means for AI-Powered Business Systems

daymond john joins the HighLevel bandwagon

daymond john joins the HighLevel bandwagonHighLevel continues to gain momentum in the marketing technology world, and a recent announcement adds another well-known entrepreneur to the story.

Shark Tank investor and FUBU founder Daymond John has publicly aligned with HighLevel to support its vision of AI-powered business building.

At first glance this might look like a typical celebrity endorsement. But if you look beyond the headline, the announcement highlights a much bigger trend in the way modern businesses are using technology.

For entrepreneurs, agencies and consultants building marketing systems today, it reinforces an important shift.

Businesses do not need more tools.
They need better systems.

Why Daymond John Is Interested in HighLevel

According to the announcement, Daymond John was attracted to HighLevel because of its focus on practical business infrastructure rather than hype around new technology.

That distinction matters.

Over the past decade, many businesses have built complicated stacks of marketing software:

  • email marketing platforms
  • CRM systems
  • landing page builders
  • SMS tools
  • social media schedulers
  • multiple AI applications

Highlevel #1 for Marketing Automation Builtwith Oct 2025Each tool solves a small problem. But when combined together they often create complexity rather than efficiency. We call this Multi System Chaos.

HighLevel was originally designed to solve this issue by combining these functions into one platform.

Today, HighLevel is ranked the #1 marketing automation system and powers more than one million businesses worldwide, managing leads, marketing automation, communication and workflows from a single platform.

AI Should Strengthen Systems, Not Replace Them

Another theme behind the announcement is HighLevel’s approach to artificial intelligence.

There is a huge amount of noise around AI right now. Many businesses feel pressure to adopt it quickly because they fear falling behind.

HighLevel’s philosophy is slightly different.

Instead of positioning AI as a replacement for people, the platform integrates AI directly into existing business workflows.

Examples inside HighLevel include:

  • AI conversation tools that respond instantly to new leads
  • VoiceAI can answer inbound calls – and even make outbound calls.
  • automated follow-up sequences across SMS, email and WhatsApp
  • AI-generated marketing content
  • workflow automation that moves leads through sales pipelines automatically

When these tools are implemented correctly, they remove repetitive tasks while allowing the business owner to stay in control of the strategy.

Why This Matters for Agencies

HighLevel is not just a CRM platform. It was originally built specifically for marketing agencies.

One of its most powerful features is the white-label SaaS model, which allows agencies to run their own software platform powered by HighLevel’s infrastructure. Check our HighLevel SaaS Entrepreneur Programme where help new agencies to get started and then grow.

This means agencies can provide clients with:

  • CRM systems
  • marketing automation
  • communication tools
  • funnels and websites
  • AI features

All under their own brand.

The alignment with Daymond John reinforces the broader vision HighLevel has been promoting recently.

The company is positioning itself not just as a marketing automation tool, but as a complete operating system for modern businesses.

A Wider Shift in Business Software

This announcement also reflects a broader trend across the software industry.

For years, businesses built their technology stacks by combining dozens of specialist tools.

Today the trend is moving towards consolidation.

Entrepreneurs increasingly want:

  • fewer platforms
  • clearer data
  • simpler systems
  • automation that works across the entire customer journey

Platforms like HighLevel are designed to replace many separate tools with one integrated system.

Whether every business adopts this approach remains to be seen. But the demand for simpler, unified systems is growing rapidly.

My Perspective Working With HighLevel Users

Working with businesses implementing HighLevel in the UK, I see the same issue again and again.

Most companies are not struggling because they lack marketing tools.

They struggle because their systems do not communicate with each other.

Leads fall through the cracks.
Follow-ups are inconsistent.
Customer data is spread across multiple platforms.

When these processes are consolidated into a single system, everything becomes easier to manage.

That is where platforms like HighLevel can make a significant difference.

If you are new to the platform, you may find this guide useful:
How to set up your HighLevel marketing system

And if you are already using the platform but need help optimising it, this article explains the support options available:
UK HighLevel Support

Final Thoughts

Celebrity partnerships can sometimes feel superficial.

But occasionally they highlight a genuine shift in the market.

In this case, the message is clear.

The future of business technology is not about collecting more apps. It is about building smarter systems powered by intelligent automation.

Platforms like HighLevel are betting that the next generation of entrepreneurs will build their businesses around integrated operating systems rather than fragmented technology stacks.

Based on what I see working with businesses every week, that trend is already well underway.

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.
About Julian Mills.

Stop Guessing Your Marketing. Deploy The Ask Method Inside HighLevel

the ask method and highlevel with julian mills

The Ask Method Explained. And Why HighLevel Is the Perfect Tool to Deploy It

the ask method and highlevel with julian millsIf you want better leads, higher conversions, and marketing that actually feels relevant to your audience, there is one principle that sits above almost everything else.

Stop guessing. Start asking.

That simple idea is the foundation of The Ask Method by Ryan Levesque, a strategy built around discovering what your market truly wants and then shaping your marketing, messaging, and offers around real customer insight.

In this article, we will:

  • Clearly explain how the Ask Method works
  • Break down the four core surveys behind the strategy
  • Show why HighLevel is the ideal platform to run it
  • Explain how Julian Mills helps businesses implement this in the real world

What is the Ask Method?

The Ask Method is a survey-driven marketing system.

Instead of building products and campaigns based on assumptions, you:

  1. Ask your audience about their problems, goals, and frustrations
  2. Segment people based on their answers
  3. Deliver personalised messaging and offers that match each segment

When done properly, this leads to:

  • Higher engagement
  • Better product-market fit
  • Increased sales without aggressive selling
  • Marketing that feels personal rather than generic

At its core, the Ask Method turns your business into a continuous customer insight engine.

The four surveys that power the Ask Method

1. Deep Dive Survey. Understanding the real problem

The Deep Dive Survey is the research foundation. It uncovers:

  • The true problems customers are trying to solve
  • Emotional motivations behind buying decisions
  • Barriers stopping success
  • The exact language prospects use to describe their situation

This insight shapes your offer, your messaging, your positioning, and often your pricing. Without this step, most marketing is simply educated guessing.

2. Micro-Commitment Bucket Survey. Real-time segmentation

Once you understand the market, the next step is sorting leads into meaningful groups.

The Micro-Commitment Bucket Survey:

  • Uses short, quick questions after opt-in
  • Places each lead into a specific segment or “bucket”
  • Triggers personalised follow-up based on their answers

This is where conversions rise sharply, because prospects only see messages that match their situation.

3. The “Do You Hate Me?” Survey. Re-engaging cold leads

Every business has inactive subscribers. Instead of ignoring them, this survey:

  • Light-heartedly asks why they stopped engaging
  • Reveals hidden objections or changing priorities
  • Identifies people worth re-engaging
  • Cleans your list intelligently

This protects deliverability and often recovers lost revenue.

4. Pivot Survey. Finding the next growth opportunity

Markets evolve, offers stall, and growth slows. The Pivot Survey helps you:

  • Discover what customers want next
  • Validate new ideas before building them
  • Identify adjacent problems worth solving
  • Make confident strategic decisions

It replaces guesswork with evidence-based direction.

Why HighLevel is the ideal platform for the Ask Method

Understanding the Ask Method is powerful. Deploying it correctly is where real results happen.

This is where HighLevel becomes essential.

Surveys, forms, and quizzes in one system

HighLevel allows you to build:

  • Long-form research surveys
  • Short segmentation quizzes
  • One-click re-engagement questions
  • Validation polls for new offers

All responses flow directly into your CRM, so you are not stitching together multiple tools or losing data along the way.

Real-time segmentation with tags and custom fields

Every answer can automatically:

  • Apply tags
  • Populate custom fields
  • Trigger workflows
  • Start personalised email or SMS nurture

This turns the Micro-Commitment Bucket Survey into fully automated personalisation at scale.

Automation that closes the loop

HighLevel workflows allow you to:

  • Re-engage inactive contacts
  • Route leads to the correct pipeline stage
  • Trigger follow-ups based on survey answers
  • Track outcomes by segment

The Ask Method stops being theory and becomes a living system inside your CRM.

Data-driven decision making

Because everything lives in one platform, you can see:

  • Which problems appear most often
  • Which segments convert fastest
  • Which new ideas gain real demand
  • Where future revenue will come from

This is exactly what the Pivot Survey is designed to reveal.

Where most businesses get stuck

Reading the book is easy. Implementing the system properly is not.

Common challenges include:

  • Designing the right survey questions
  • Structuring meaningful segments
  • Building the automation logic
  • Connecting surveys to revenue tracking
  • Turning insight into profitable offers

This is the gap between knowledge and execution.

Why businesses work with Julian Mills

This is where Julian Mills fits in.

Julian is a UK-based HighLevel consultant and marketing automation strategist who specialises in:

  • Translating proven marketing frameworks into real systems
  • Building Ask Method style segmentation inside HighLevel
  • Creating automated nurture and conversion journeys
  • Turning customer insight into measurable revenue

Rather than generic CRM setup, the focus is on strategy first, automation second, growth always.

The result is not just better software usage. It is a smarter marketing engine built around your customers.

Woudl you like to learn more. Book a Discovery Call with Julian.

Final thoughts

The Ask Method delivers a simple but powerful truth.

Your customers will tell you exactly how to sell to them. If you build the system to listen.

HighLevel provides the technical platform to capture, segment, automate, and act on that insight. Julian Mills provides the strategic expertise to implement it correctly and profitably.

Together, this creates marketing that feels natural, personal, and effective.

Looking for Bucket.io software or what happened with The Ask Method. Check out this blog post.

Get a copy of The Ask Method by Ryan Levesque at Amazon (this is not an affiliate link).


Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.

The Ask. What’s The Best Survey Funnel Software Bucket.io Alternative for Ryan Levesque’s Ask Method (HighLevel)

Ask Ryan levesque bucket.io funnel survey software
Ask Ryan levesque bucket.io funnel survey softwareIf you’ve read Ask by Ryan Levesque, you’ll know the core idea is simple.Stop guessing what your market wants. Ask them.

The Ask Method is built around surveys, segmentation, and personalised follow-up. It remains one of the most practical frameworks for turning audience insights into higher conversions.

But there’s one issue many readers face today.

What Happened to Survey Funnel Software – Bucket.io?

Throughout the book, Ryan frequently references his own platform, Survey Funnel Software – Bucket.io, as the tool used to implement the methodology.

However, many people searching for it now discover that:

  • it’s no longer widely available
  • the product has changed over time
  • the Ask Method ecosystem has been acquired and absorbed into other tools (such as ScoreApp)

This leaves a common question.

What software can I use today to implement The Ask Method properly?

The Answer. HighLevel Is a Complete Ask Method Platform

The biggest takeaway I had from reading Ask is that the methodology does not depend on one specific tool.

In fact, HighLevel (also known as GoHighLevel) can be used to implement the Ask Method fully, often more effectively than the original software.

HighLevel provides everything needed to build a complete survey funnel system, including:

  • survey and form creation
  • segmentation and tagging
  • automated follow-up campaigns
  • appointment booking
  • CRM pipeline tracking
  • nurture workflows

If you’re looking for a Survey Funnel Software alternative, HighLevel is one of the most powerful options available.

How HighLevel Supports the Ask Method Step by Step

Ryan’s framework breaks down into three stages.

HighLevel maps onto these perfectly.

1. Ask. Build the Survey Funnel

HighLevel allows you to create surveys, forms, and quizzes that capture the exact insights Ryan teaches.

You can ask questions such as:

  • What is your biggest challenge right now?
  • What would you fix instantly if you could?
  • What are you trying to achieve in the next 90 days?

This is the foundation of any Ask Method funnel.

2. Segment. Create Buyer Buckets Automatically

One of the most valuable parts of the book is learning how to analyse open-ended responses and identify 3 to 5 core buyer buckets.

HighLevel makes segmentation simple through:

  • tags
  • custom fields
  • smart lists
  • workflow triggers

For example:

  • Bucket 1: Beginners needing guidance
  • Bucket 2: DIY marketers wanting templates
  • Bucket 3: Business owners ready for done-for-you support

Each segment can receive a completely different follow-up journey.

3. Sell. Automate the Follow-Up and Booking Process

This is where HighLevel goes beyond traditional survey tools.

Once someone completes your Ask Method survey, HighLevel can automatically:

  • send personalised email sequences
  • trigger SMS reminders
  • assign sales tasks
  • move leads through pipelines
  • invite them to book a call

This turns the Ask Method into a full marketing automation system, not just a survey.

Why HighLevel Is the Best Alternative to Survey Funnel Software – Bucket.io

Most survey platforms stop at collecting answers.

HighLevel continues the process all the way through to conversion.

With HighLevel you can run:

  • the survey
  • the segmentation
  • the nurture
  • the sales pipeline
  • the booking system
  • the automation

All in one platform.

That makes it one of the most complete Ask Method software solutions available today.

Final Thoughts. Ask Method Software Has Evolved

Ryan Levesque’s Ask is still highly relevant.

The surveys, the buyer buckets, and the segmentation strategy are timeless.

The tools have simply moved on.

If you’re searching for:

  • Bucket.io Survey Funnel Software alternative
  • software to implement The Ask Method
  • an alternative to Scoreapp
  • a platform to build survey funnels like Ryan Levesque teaches

HighLevel is an excellent modern solution.

It doesn’t just replace Survey Funnel Software.

It expands on it.

Want Help Building Your Ask Method Funnel in HighLevel?

If you’d like support setting up an Ask Method style survey funnel inside HighLevel, including segmentation workflows and automated follow-up, I can help. You can book a Discovery Call Here.

Written by Julian Mills – HighLevel consultant and marketing strategist.
About Julian Mills.