I have an idea for a peer-to-peer startup which needs an e-commerce/craigslist kind of website. I am a good programmer, but I've only used C++/Java/Python my whole life and worked only on the platform side of non-internet products (Think of Desktop applications, MS Office, etc). I've never used any of the modern web frameworks nor know much about scaling up a website, services etc. When I look up on the web, there are literally tons of frameworks, languages, and choices to make. What would be the fastest and the most effective way to code a website? Also, I might've to scale it up in future, so I don't want to make the mistake of using esoteric or dead languages.
You're underestimating how much of a pain all of this has become. For one, you'll want it to be HTTPS and right away that always seems to be difficult even when you've done it the same way before. You're going to have to interface with probably paypal which means you get to join the world of JavaScript APIs. This means often hard to follow documentation and bizarre designs. You'll probably want to set up some kind of email system which means using one of the many awesome email plugins (which ends up having a dependency on another plugin but you can't figure out how to install it). Then you have to setup CSS and people will tell you lies about how you should use x or how y will save you so much time but you definitely should NOT use x and y will take more time to setup than you could possibly save. ...just walk away man. Walk away. I'd probably use some kind of Wordpress thing or even start off with square space until I know the idea has wings.
>What would be the fastest and the most effective way to code a website?
Why don't you pay a more experienced webdev to just build it for you and show you the ropes at the same time? That's what I would do. I'd go to a few of those local meetups for devs and try to meet someone. The project itself is fun enough and many people will be thrilled to tutor someone so you can negotiate a reasonable $/hour.
I’ve not used it but i saw <a href="https://bubble.is" rel="nofollow">https://bubble.is</a> on HN recently which might help you get going fast without coding.<p>So it’s an online wysiwyg site builder that can handle complex interactions. I reckon you can build a simple to mid level site using it.
Sharetribe should do the trick<p>`Sharetribe is easiest way to start your own online marketplace. Create a platform where your users can rent or sell goods, spaces or services online. Get started in less than a minute and launch yours today. No downloads, no installations, and all without the help of a developer. Sharetribe handles all the hosting, transactions and online payments. It is easy to use and simple to customize. Sharetribe takes care of the tech, you take care of business.`<p><a href="https://www.sharetribe.com" rel="nofollow">https://www.sharetribe.com</a>
If you are deadset on actually programming the website I would say your best bet is to learn django for backend stuff. Postgresql for your database. Html, Css, and Vanilla js with no other frameworks besides jquery for frontend. Then just roll it out on a pythonanywhere, heroku, or aws server.
I kinda liked <a href="https://www.opencart.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.opencart.com/</a> But never actually had to run business on it :-)
Skip the code and make a mock up to verify the idea. Balsamic, power point, or something similar that is low effort<p>or PM me to talk about a platform I have in the works that is nearing beta :]