Top Web Development Agencies for 2024
A list of best web development companies worldwide to hire for your next project
UPDATED: June 3, 2024
Developing a company website isn’t always as straightforward as one would think. There are so many choices, and getting it wrong could be disastrous. Website design and development are two completely different things. Web design entails giving an existing site new life, while web development consists of building an entire website from start to finish. A web developer can create the website from the bottom up and ensure it works and looks as it should.
You can choose various tools to help build the website in-house or tackle it yourself. However, even this method could use up valuable resources and time.
Working with a professional web development firm that will bring skill and expertise to every stage of the project will save you money in the long run. Companies with professionally designed web apps or custom websites can expect increased customer loyalty as well as a revenue boost.
The World’s Top Website Development Companies — June 2024 Rankings:
Many fantastic top web development companies across the globe offer a unique combination of skills. We have been working to narrow this long list down to the top five global web developers that range in size and specialization.
While some web development companies offer that are better than others, there are agencies that stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for the best web development agency in the world, this list might help you find one that meets your unique branding and UI/UX needs.
The five web agencies below represent some of the world’s finest web designers and developers.
1 — Clay
Based in the heart of San Francisco’s tech central, Clay offers end-to-end UI/UX catering to the high-end startups and overnight MVPs of Silicon Valley. One of the unique attributes of this successful design agency is its ability to integrate psychology, behavioral science, and practical function into original user-focused designs.
With clients like Amazon, Google, UPS, and Coinbase, the team at Clay have found a specific niche in serving some of the most well-known tech startups without sacrificing a personalized approach to interactive website design and development.
2 — Work & Co
Heading over to the East Coast of the US, is one of the best web development firms that will scale and adjust to your design needs. Work & Co is well known for getting into the nitty gritty of website design and development by first understanding every facet of your brand and business model. They place a high value on modernist aesthetics with minimalist visuals that almost compel the viewer to take action.
The NYC Live Subway Map website exemplifies how Work & Co blends partner-led design into the incredibly complex subject matter. It’s no wonder this web agency has a team of over 350 workers. You would need that as well to tackle such a complicated project.
3 — Instrument
Another of the top website development companies to consider is Instrument. This is a coast-to-coast agency with offices in Portland and NYC. They go beyond pure UI/UX design and into digital marketing and extensive branding. That vein of creativity bleeds into their projects with clients like Patagonia, Xbox, and Sonos — all highly visual-based websites and company brands.
For Instrument, everything must enrich the viewer’s overall experience with a project. So basically, if the final outcome doesn’t feel like it is adding to the industry, it goes back to the drawing board, or in this case, wireframing.
4 — Huge
Huge is aptly named, seeing how this is a top web development agency with more than 13 offices worldwide. They offer bespoke UI/UX website design like the rest of the list but go a bit beyond into business strategy and digital experiences and are a mobile app development company. The ability to use devs who understand mobile efficiency is a significant feather in the cap for a website design company needing to build unique projects that compete in today’s highly mobile-driven market.
The Huge team size is — well — huge. They have 1,200 members spread out between NYC, LA, London, Singapore, Toronto, and more. You can see their work in Nike, Pfizer, Hulu, and Canada Goose.
5 — Dentsu Creative
Dentsu is massive. This website design and development firm include numerous internal creative shops. They only recently melded DentsuMB, 360i, and Isobar into a single design agency. In total, Dentsu offers eight business domains covering marketing, digital, creative sphere, promotions, media, content, PR, and global business.
Based in Tokyo, Dentsu Creative is the largest adverting agency in Japan. That is quite the feat when you consider how ad-rich everything in that region of the world is, even when you walk down the street to find some fresh sushi. Visit their website, and you’ll immediately see a highly visual-based, tech-friendly firm that enjoys storytelling.
Turn Your Idea into Reality
The world of web development is a competitive space, with new companies popping up all the time. The best agencies can turn your ideas into reality and give you the best possible service for your money.
If you are looking for an agency to help build your website or app, these top website and web app development companies from our list should guide you on where to start looking.
How to Choose the Best Web Developer for Your Needs in 2024
There are many things to keep in mind if you want to choose the best web development company for your specific requirements and have a smooth experience from start to finish. If you choose a firm that isn’t a good fit, you will end up wasting resources as well as precious time. If you choose a web developer that doesn’t communicate well, this can also yield stressful, poor results. Imagine going through the entire process of web design and ending up with a website that doesn’t suit your needs. This scenario can also have severe financial implications.
This is why you should take your time, have a solid plan in regard to design, and commit to researching popular web development companies effectively. In doing this, you can find a professional team of experts who can create an excellent website for you rather than experiencing any pitfalls. You can end up with a website in which the best web developers use their skills and expertise to take your vision to new heights.
Why Web Development is Essential for Business Growth
So many things are switching to a more digital format these days, which means businesses must adapt in order to communicate effectively with their customers. Having a full web and mobile presence can bring awareness to the brand and is often the first point of contact for the customer. Did you know about 38% of a website’s visitors will leave the website if they find the content or layout unappealing? Outdated sites or slow-loading sites and pages can also deter potential customers.
Your office might have regular 9 to 5 business hours, but the website should be running 24/7 so customers can access company data and plan to interact with them at another time. It allows customers to learn more about a company, service, or product, as well as brand identity, in order for them to make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with them. This is why the website loading quickly and easily, looking appealing and offering engaging, relevant content are so important.
Product websites can sell to customers worldwide anytime, day or night, without worrying about old-fashioned concepts such as “operating hours.” That being said, the website can be the best sales tool.
You can also save money on advertising by having an updated dynamic website since marketing is doable online, and any inquiries can be processed via the website. Any social media account can run simultaneously with a website, creating further awareness and visibility for your brand.
This type of cohesive digital presence can boost customer confidence in the business and increase their perceived trustworthiness and reputation. Any top web development company should be able to enhance these goals and offer more recommendations, such as features you may not have considered.
Tips for Choosing a Top Web Development Company
Every company has its own way of doing things, meaning each has unique objectives and goals. Some best practices apply to every business, though, and being aware of them can help narrow down your search.
First, view the web development company’s own website, in which they should showcase their best work. In addition, look at their social media accounts to see how they look. If anything is slow, lacking, or outdated, it should be a red flag that this isn’t the web development team hire.
Next, reach out to the web development firm to find out how quickly they respond to your initial message. If you find communication absent or slow, the development process will be tricky because communication between the team and the client is essential.
Once you have determined their website and social media channels are appealing and up-to-date, and you’re happy with their communication, then review the web design company’s portfolio. You will want to see some of the work they have done for previous clients. Make sure the websites they have created are appealing to you. The process might be less smooth if you are planning an eCommerce store and web designers hasn’t worked with eCommerce clients.
Reviews and testimonials are also critical. Take a look at Clutch to read reviews from IT company clients and web development companies. Look for clients with similar web development projects to yours so you can assess the web development team’s experience.
When you start communicating with a website development firm, ask for client references. Any reputable and established website development agency or company will be able to offer you a list of past clients. If they do not have such a list or cannot volunteer information about previous clients, that is another red flag that they are not the right web development services for your project.
Before jumping into a contract, learning as much as possible about the web development company is extremely important. Get to know them well and discuss key functionalities and your target audience.
Good Questions to Ask Top Web Development Companies
What is your specialty?
This is perhaps the most important question you can ask because you must be confident the developer’s skills mesh with your objectives. Web developers must have the right experience to ensure you end up with a great product.
What kind of new technology training do you have?
The answer to this question will show the developer’s interest in learning the latest technologies and staying up to date. Web development is constantly changing, so staying competitive and current by keeping up with the newest technologies is essential.
What do you think of our current website?
Knowing the web developer’s opinion of your existing website isn’t always easy. Even if you already know your site lacks essential information or is outdated, it doesn’t mean it is easy to hear that from a third party. However, if the developer took the time to check out your website and organization beforehand, that is a good sign, especially when they have constructive, positive suggestions to improve it.
How does a typical project workflow look in your organization?
This question should yield critical information concerning how organized the web developer is and how long each step should take. Watch out for any warning signs, such as a lack of communication, disorganization, or team roles that are not clearly defined.
How do you research a project before beginning?
Before kicking off the design project, a professional designer should research elements such as brand identity, target audience, and goals. They should ask you similar questions to what you asked yourself before hiring them. The web developers will need to ask what kind of site you want, your objectives and goals, and what features you would like included on the website.
What is the expected completion time of this project?
What you should get here is a general timeline estimate. A good website development company will have realistic expectations about how long every step will take and should also be able to communicate with you regarding the approximate timeline for things such as revisions.
When do you intend to begin?
A project might have an estimated completion date of eight weeks, but this may not take into consideration the intended start date of the web development project. Ask whether the developer has other web development projects that must be finished before beginning yours or if they plan to start on yours immediately.
How much should I expect to spend on this kind of project?
The developer should be able to consider the complexity, parameters, and desired features when calculating an approximate estimate of the total cost. Issues might arise during the web development stages, which can impact these figures at any time. However, the web development company should advise you of that so you can determine if the work will fit into your budget.
Can we edit the finished website ourselves afterward?
Will your company have access to edit the website after the web development project has been completed? Ask who owns the code and intellectual property — it is imperative to know this upfront. Your organization should ideally be able to edit the website without coding knowledge.
What are your hosting, security, and maintenance processes?
Right from the start of the project, you will want to have clearly defined responsibilities laid out. Not all web developers host, but some do. Security is a critically important feature. The web development company must have security measures clearly defined to protect your sensitive data and that of your customers.
Are marketing strategies included with the service?
Suppose you don’t already have an in-house marketing team. In that case, you might value including marketing strategies with the service since using the design team’s industry knowledge can create a competitive edge for your company.
During the web design phase, what do you need from me?
Ideally, the developer will want extensive communication, not just at the start of the process but also as the website development project progresses. They will require input from you during each stage, so make sure you are aware of how much time and resources they will need from you before the project starts. This allows you to plan and schedule accordingly. You will be working as a team with the developer to complete the website, and having clear, open communication makes this much more straightforward.
Can you tell me which SEO strategies you use?
It is best if the developer can integrate SEO (Search Engine Optimization) features at the start of web development since those who don’t mention it until afterward tend to charge extra for it. We recommend you don’t choose an agent who doesn’t include SEO in your website’s framework.
What is your website responsiveness strategy?
Trends in web and mobile development should constantly evolve so they can suit the needs of changing technologies. You must find a website developer who wants to offer a great mobile experience for your project. This question should be answered decisively and without hesitation to prove how knowledgeable they are about the latest trends.
How will you test the website before it goes live?
Device compatibility is important but so is cross-browser compatibility. Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox all read websites in their own slightly different ways. The developer has to take the time to test the site on every browser before the website launches and goes live. This will ensure they have time to address responsiveness and other issues. A good web development company will have an internal checklist to work through before launching the website.
How many revisions do I get?
Ask whether revisions are available and, if they are, how much they cost. Ideally, the web development company will offer as many revisions as necessary, although some limit them. You can always discuss this during contract negotiations. There might be a lot of minor edits as the project nears its end. If there are several significant modifications, this might mean you picked the wrong developer. Be careful about any web development team unwilling to make sure you are delighted with the end product.
How do we communicate throughout the process?
As mentioned before, communication is crucial to a project’s success. You will need to find a developer with a solid communication plan. If you are working with a remote development company, ask them which remote collaboration tools they use. For example, such tools may include time zone management, project management software, and video conferencing platforms.
How to Avoid Common Web Development Pitfalls
The ever-evolving world of web development means clients require increasingly dynamic web solutions, that are responsive enough to grow their business. Technology changes all the time in order to adapt to consumer trends. Although the web development process should follow the best practice steps and most mistakes should be caught before the end stage, some common web development mistakes can occur. Let’s take a closer look at what these are and how to avoid them.
Using HTML Elements that are Outdated
Outdated code can result in responsiveness issues on a web page as well as a result in inconsistency when switching between browsers. The worst thing about having out-of-date code is that it creates a website environment easier for cyber-hackers. There are many available markup options to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Lack of Cross-Browser Compatibility
Just as there are different devices you can view a website on, there are also various browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Since each one reads a website differently, you can expect page responsiveness and viewability to be impacted. Customers encountering such a problem often choose to abandon the website and search for an alternative. Web developers must take the time to test various browsers to ensure the result will be user-friendly regardless of browser.
Lack of Mobile Design Functionality
Not everyone will be viewing the website on a computer or laptop. Some will use a tablet or smartphone. Each device has different resolution settings so that a webpage won’t look the same on a smartphone as on a desktop PC. Also, different devices may have responsiveness issues, such as poor image quality or slow loading times. The website must be tested on every type of device to ensure a positive user experience. The developer will test each one before the site goes live so any adjustments for cross-device compatibility can be made.
Abandoned or Out-of-Date Javascript Libraries
Something that can impact front-end design is outdated libraries. Although it isn’t required that renowned libraries are used, it’s essential to use only updated frameworks. The end product’s dependence on a framework that isn’t maintained anymore can cause problems. Make sure whichever Javascript libraries you choose are entirely up-to-date so you can expect the correct documentation and active support.
Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Web Developers
Once you have decided to rebuild your existing website or create a brand new one, you will either use whatever in-house capabilities you have or you will need to hire a professional web development agency. Do your homework first so you can then gather the resources necessary to choose the best web designer confidently.
Different Types of Websites
It’s important not to rush this part. You need to consider what you want the website to offer since websites vary tremendously in terms of functionality. Some might be a platform for general information, while others can include customer account access, appointment-setting capabilities, or work as a sales channel. Take an eCommerce website, for instance. This is more complex than a static site and requires a developer with experience with such a platform.
Compatibility is Important
After clearly defining what you expect from your website, you will link with developers specializing in the required areas. Check out your competitor’s custom websites and decide which features you like or don’t like. See what service they offer online and check if the website is running the latest technology.
If not, this allows your business to stand head and shoulders above the others. It is best to consider having extra options and features that your competitors’ sites don’t offer so that your business can stand out.
Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to meet with the company you want to hire and have enough communication with them. Healthy communication is vital for building a website. You should find out who your point of contact will be early on, contact them before the project commences, and ensure you have all the contact information you’ll need.
Different Levels of Support
Websites need ongoing support, and even small issues, such as email support requests or password reset, occur now and then. The company you choose to be your developer must be there to help you, and any web development agency worth its salt will provide support for its product.
Websites are fluid, which means they need to be updated often, perhaps having functionality changed from the original design or added later. It is important to understand how the web development company deals with such requests. E-commerce websites require more support since products will be added, updated, and deleted frequently.
The Price
It can be expensive to build a website when looking at the initial layout, and you should have a realistic budget before you start. Depending on your available money, you can tailor the website to fit your needs while remaining within budget. If your budget doesn’t stretch to what you envisioned, you might need to scale back your design. Just as with any project, it is possible to have unexpected costs pop up, so we recommend you set aside a reserve in case this happens.
There are more costs associated with websites than the upfront fee, including recurring expenses like maintenance and web hosting. Depending on the web development agency you choose, the contract might also have maintenance costs. Some charge on a per-request basis, and it is important to know this beforehand so you can reserve some funds accordingly.
Attention to Detail
This is necessary for building a dynamic site to reflect your company’s values. Security, as well as data encryption standards and other important information, should be detailed. Cyber-attacks are always on the increase and can negatively impact daily life.
This makes it essential to choose a web development company with the proper practices and standards to keep your data and that of your customers safe. They should also devise the best plan for regularly updating such security measures.
Little details and attention to them can make or break your reputation online. Seemingly insignificant elements like missing information, dead links, a poor layout, and misspelled words can all damage the credibility the business has been striving for since the beginning.
Adding Value to Your Business
A professionally designed mobile app or website can bring important awareness to your business. Even though some companies choose to build their website in-house using a dedicated team, there are benefits to hiring a web development agency instead.
These benefits include:
Ø Financial savings
Ø Customization
Ø Brand awareness
Ø Support and feedback
Let’s take a closer look at each of these benefits.
Financial Savings
Whether you use an in-house team or hire a web developer, building a website can be expensive. However, using a web development agency is a good choice because you will get a long-term return on your investment. You can save thousands of dollars on marketing and advertising if your website is good enough.
Forget having to run print ads, radio ads, and mailers and, instead, put those costs into making the best website you can afford. If your company information is available online and easy to find, customers can use your website from anywhere in the world and at any time. A sales-based company allows customers to buy products whenever they wish without waiting for operating hours or leaving the house to shop.
Customization
When working with a web development agency, the point is to create a website that accurately reflects your company’s brand, culture, personality, and values. The finished website should reflect your core values and be adapted to your requirements as closely as possible.
Seasoned, skilled web developers will be able to create custom features for the best possible user experience, and such touches and customizations boost perceived brand value. They can cement the digital reputation of your company. You will want your website to stand out from your competitors, and customization is a big part of that. Ideally, your website should have enhanced features that customers can’t find when using your competitors’ websites.
Brand Awareness
Remember when you had to look in the Yellow Pages to find a company’s phone number or other information about them? Well, the world has evolved since then and is now largely digital. Customers typically head online first when looking for information about a business. Representing your brand in the best light to ensure your well-being and financial health is imperative.
If customers can’t easily find you online, they will likely head to one of your competitors, costing your company a lot in lost revenue. An easy-to-navigate, appealing website with relevant content boosts your credibility with customers and improves your overall image.
Support and Feedback
Support and feedback from experts in the field are valuable resources you will get by choosing the right website development firm to work with. Troubleshooting can be time-consuming and reduce your available time for other important business operations.
Suppose you are working with a developer who offers continuing support for your website. In that case, you might simply need to email their customer support team or head to the FAQ section on the website to resolve any issues that occur. Save money, time, and headaches by having an expert to consult when something isn’t working correctly on the website. This frees up your time so you can focus on other critical operations in the business.
It’s fair to say the past couple of years has impacted the digital landscape in a huge way. Both shutdowns and remote working have made it critical for companies to continue operations outside the traditional retail space or office. Many companies were seriously concerned about closing due to a lack of revenue and were forced to find new ways to serve their customers and create income. Businesses had to reevaluate their online presence in recent times and the capabilities of their websites. A huge liability for any company is an outdated website.
The pandemic created unique needs, and new businesses popped up daily to address these, many of whom turned to web developers. A new daily feature being added makes online purchases more secure for the user as well as simpler.
FAQ: Finding the Best Web Development Company in 2024
Q: What is the average price of a professionally designed website?
A: It can be hard to find web development companies who openly post their fees because every web design project is different, so there is no ‘one price fits all’ in this field. Every customer has their requirements, which affect pricing. However, the average cost of customizing a template website in 2024 is often between $4,000 and $10,000.
A skilled and highly experienced website developer will charge more for creating a custom website. Depending on your requirements, the all-in price tag can be north of $100,000. Some complex web designs have been known to go for even $400,000 or $500,000.
The pricing varies from developer to developer according to factors such as their expertise and geographic location. It is normal for professional web developers in big cities to cost more than those in smaller areas.
Q: What would a web development agency in the San Francisco Bay Area charge?
A: Along with those in Los Angeles and New York, the San Francisco Bay Area web design agencies charge the highest average price for their services. Not only do these areas have a higher cost of living, but the excellence and expertise of local designers also affect the fees. Professional designers have an average hourly rate between $150 and $300.
The price can go up even more when dealing with complicated web pages and multiple functionalities, and you can even end up somewhere in the mid-6 figures range. The information about online pricing can be deceptive, so startups can be shocked at the price they are quoted.
You can find quoted prices anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 for a custom design, although those are rough ballpark figures. The latter price is typically for companies who outsource the work to web designers in Asia, India, Latin America, or Eastern Europe.
Q: How long does it take to create a website?
A: It is impossible to give an exact time range since the variables differ from website to website. Let’s say you want a basic page without special features or customization. That might take around three weeks. On the other hand, custom web designs might take up to 4 months. A very complex site with detailed features may take even more time.
Once the web development company is ready to begin, that is when the web development timeline starts. A popular agency is likely to have a backlog, so development might not start until after negotiating the contract. Even though they might not be exact, it’s worth asking the developer for an estimated start date, allowing you to plan appropriately.
Q: What can I expect from the web development process?
A: The web development process from start to finish is considered by some to be a 4-step process, but we prefer to consider it a 7-step process, breaking down brainstorming and road mapping, web design and wireframe, integration and development, and testing further. In this way, both the client and developer can delve deeper into the project to ensure expectations and project goals are defined clearly with no room for misunderstandings or errors. This 7-step process also facilitates clear communication. These steps are as follows:
Ø Identification of goals
Ø Definition of the scope
Ø Creating content
Ø Visual design
Ø Quality assurance
Ø Launch
Let’s look at each of those in turn.
Identification of Goals
The developers can understand the project goal and its full scope more accurately when the brainstorming process is broken down. The earliest communications will be the client and developer working together to figure out the requirements of the new website to fulfill the goals the client has in mind.
During this step, the client explains their vision to the developer and details what they want to achieve, clearly defining values, brand identity, and corporate culture. You will present to the developer how you hope the website will retain existing customers, attract new ones and save the company time. Explain the problems you want to solve for your customers to the development team so they can come up with possible solutions and ideas.
Definition of Scope
This is the team defining the whole scope of the web design so they will lay out what pages and features the site will need to offer in order to meet the client’s objectives detailed in the previous step. After that, the developer can calculate how much time the project should take to finish.
Wireframing
This step is about the website’s basic framework, as the site starts to take shape when the wireframing is done. The developer can use this to figure out how interrelated features are supposed to work together and go on to develop a basic layout for every page. During this step, developers should work the predetermined search engine optimization into the website’s framework. SEO is a very important part of every website and business and will make sure the site ranks high in search engine results, making it more visible to customers.
Creation of Content
After the layout of the website is finished, the team will start working on creating content. During this phase, the developer needs to take the time to ensure optimized SEO values and have every page’s content focused on one topic only. This helps to increase the effectiveness of search engines.
Visual Design
This is when the developer integrates the visual elements into the website, and it’s time to make sure all branding is well-defined. Some clients might enter a project with clear branding objectives, but others might have time to define a cohesive look for their new website to mirror their mission, objectives, and core values.
Quality Assurance
Testing is a key part of website development, and testing the website on various browsers and devices will take time. A website will look different on a tablet than on a smartphone, and it might look different on Chrome than on Firefox since browsers have their own ways of reading websites. This can affect the look and responsiveness of the finished website, so it must not be skipped. If the developer finds issues at this point, they can make any necessary adjustments before test-launching the site to see if any bugs need to be ironed out.
Launch
This is the best part and the most exciting! Finally, you get to see your vision brought to life. The developer works to define launch timing as well as execution before the actual launch. If the launch doesn’t go smoothly, the developers will be on hand to address any issues.
Q: Where do I find the best web development companies?
A: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York are home to some of North America’s top web development companies. It’s a good idea to check with the Clutch community since they offer essential data, and you can read reviews from real clients.
More than 38,000 companies are reviewed there, and you can filter search parameters to those with the highest ratings. Then you will discover which are the best web development companies all over the world.
There are top-rated web designers in California, the Eastern US, the UK, and Eastern Europe. Atlanta, Philadelphia, and North Carolina are home to top-ranked developers too. Given this variety, you have plenty of web development options and can focus on finding the best one to handle the needs and goals of your unique project.
Q: Where do I find the top web development agencies online?
A: It can seem overwhelming when you first start looking online for a web developer. Beginning with basic Google search results in thousands of options and this volume of top-rated designers and web design agencies can make you wonder how to narrow them down to find the best fit. It is a good idea to ask the advice of experts in the industry, using online periodicals, blogs, and Clutch to start whittling down your options. This ensures you are ready to begin the process.
A good place to start is knowing what kind of website you want to have created, and then you can look at each potential developer more in-depth. Take as much time as you need to read online reviews from current clients and remove any web development companies with negative reviews from your list. Now you can start with the communication process. A good web development firmwill be communicative and respond in a timely fashion. They should be happy to answer any questions you have for them.
Hiring a web development services to design your business’ website means outsourcing most of the work, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be involved in the process. Make sure you have enough time and resources for the project to be completed on time.
Once the website has been launched, you should watch out for any features that should be adjusted or added. Whenever information about your company changes or a new product or service is added, you’ll need to update the website promptly to reflect them. Maximizing your website’s marketing potential is vital in the modern digital landscape.
Stay competitive in this new environment, and you will be able to give your company a highly competitive edge. Website development might seem costly at first, but it is well worth the money, time, and effort for the great range of benefits and value it adds to your business.
Good luck!
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