I like to start with Node.js and add modules from npm as needed. For example I'll npm install:
- `websocket-stream` for websockets support.
- `secure-password` for password security.
- `is-my-json-valid` for API/scheme validation.
- `level` for data persistence on disk.
- `sodium-native` or `sodium-universal` for crypto.
Mostly I use The Lebron Stack[1].
For client work I still use php, and we typically put them on WordPress or CraftCMS. Those are usually typical CMS builds and don't require anything too fancy aside from maybe a few plug-ins.