Let $f : V \to U$ be a (generalized) polynomial-like map. Suppose that harmonic measure $\omega= \omega(\cdot,\infty)$ on the Julia set $J_{f}$ is equal to the measure of maximal entropy $m$ for $f : J_{f} \hookleftarrow$. Then the dynamics $(f,V,U)$ is called maximal. We are going to give a criterion for the dynamics to be conformally equivalent to a maximal one, that is to be conformally maximal. In the second part of this paper we construct an invariant ‘harmonic’ measure $\mu$ such that ${d\mu}/{d\omega}$ is Hölder for certain dynamics. This allows us to prove in this class of dynamical systems that $\omega\approx m$ is necessary and sufficient for $(f,V,U)$ to be conformally maximal. In the particular case when $f$ is expanding and $J_{f}$ is a circle, our result becomes a theorem of Shub and Sullivan; so throughout the paper we are dealing with an analog of a theorem of Shub and Sullivan on ‘wild’ (e.g. totally disconnected) $J_{f}$ and for certain non-expanding $f$. We also construct (under certain assumptions) invariant harmonic measure on $J_{f}$. In this respect, our work stems from one of the works of Carleson.