How Local Businesses in India Can Go Online Without Aggregators

For years, small businesses in India believed that the only way to go online was to join big aggregators – food delivery apps, marketplace platforms, listing portals, or commission-based intermediaries.

But in 2025, that belief is changing fast.

Local shops are discovering that going online doesn’t mean giving control to aggregators.

You don’t need to pay commissions.

You don’t need to compete with 100 similar businesses on the same app.

You don’t need someone else deciding your visibility, pricing, or customer relationships.

Today, thousands of neighbourhood businesses in India are going online independently, building their own digital presence, selling directly to customers, and keeping 100% of their earnings.

This shift is big, powerful, and long overdue – and chotu is the platform making it possible for all shop types.

The Problem With Aggregator Platforms

Aggregator apps are built for customers, not local businesses.

They attract large volumes of users, but for merchants, they create serious problems:

1. High commissions that cut into profits

Local shops often lose a big percentage of their earnings per order.

2. Your shop becomes one listing among hundreds

Visibility depends on boost ads, ranking algorithms, or paid features.

3. No direct relationship with customers

Apps hide contact details, weakening loyalty and long-term business.

4. Forced delivery models and penalties

If you can’t deliver instantly, your store gets ranked lower.

5. Branding belongs to the aggregator – not you

Customers remember the app, not your shop.

For small and medium businesses, this is not growth – it’s dependency.

The New Movement: Local Shops Going Online Without Aggregators

India’s local businesses – kiranas, fruit shops, meat sellers, dairy parlours, fast food centers, dry fruit stores, and neighbourhood services – are discovering a better way:

Going online directly with their own store link, their own customers, and their own identity.

This model gives shops:

  • Digital visibility
  • WhatsApp orders
  • Repeat customers
  • Higher profits
  • Direct communication
  • Independent branding

This is how businesses were meant to grow in the digital era.

And this is exactly what chotu enables.

How chotu Helps Local Businesses Go Online Without Aggregators

chotu is not a delivery app or marketplace.

It is a digital storefront platform for local shops.

With chotu, merchants get their own online presence – simple, clean, and built for direct sales.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create Your Own Online Store Instantly for FREE

Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online.

In a few steps, your digital storefront is live:

  • Add your shop name and mobile number
  • Add your products or services with short descriptions

This becomes your official online identity – shareable across WhatsApp, Google Business, and social media.

2. Direct Customers = Direct Earnings

No commissions.

No intermediaries.

No fees per order.

You keep 100% of what you earn, exactly how local commerce should work.

3. Sell Through WhatsApp – India’s Biggest Commerce Channel

Your chotu store link becomes your WhatsApp ordering page.

Customers can:

  • Browse
  • Check items
  • Contact you directly
  • Place orders
  • Reorder easily

This is faster and more effective than any aggregator.

4. Get Discovered Locally Without Paying for Ads

When you publish your store on chotu, you appear in search-friendly categories such as:

  • Groceries
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Meat
  • Dairy
  • Fast food
  • Dry fruits
  • Services

Local customers nearby discover your shop naturally.

5. Build Your Own Brand – Not the Platform’s

With aggregators, your brand is hidden.

With chotu, your brand is front and center:

  • Your store
  • Your logo
  • Your product list
  • Your direct phone number
  • Your identity

This builds long-term customer loyalty.

Which Local Businesses Benefit the Most?

chotu works for every neighbourhood business, including:

  • Kirana stores
  • Fruit & vegetable shops
  • Meat & chicken shops
  • Dry fruit stores
  • Fast food centers
  • Bakeries
  • Dairy parlours
  • Flowers & puja shops
  • Home-based sellers
  • Local services (salons, tutors, clinics, repairs, fitness, etc.)

If your customers live within 3–5 km, going online without aggregators is the most profitable approach.

Why Independent Online Stores Are the Future for Indian Businesses

✔ Higher profit margins
✔ Direct customer relationships
✔ Local brand building
✔ WhatsApp ordering convenience
✔ No dependency on external platforms
✔ Stronger repeat business
✔ True long-term growth

Local shops don’t need aggregators.

They need visibility, identity, and direct customers – and chotu gives exactly that.

Start Your Online Journey Today – Go Digital With chotu

👉 Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online

Create your online store → Share your link → Get direct customers → Grow independently

You don’t need aggregators.You need your own digital presence – and chotu gives it in seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is chotu?
Namaste. I am chotu, your friendly shopboy. I make ordering from your shop simple on WhatsApp.
What does chotu do?
Customers can see your full product list online (like Zepto/Blinkit). They add to cart and order directly on WhatsApp.
Is chotu like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto or Blinkit?
No. Those are delivery apps made for buyers. They control prices, delivery, and own your customer data. chotu is an ordering app made for you, the shopkeeper. You keep full control: prices, payments and your customer info.
Is chotu same as WhatsApp Business Catalog?
Almost, but one big difference: With chotu, you get a ready-made catalog for your shop type. No need to type a single word. Just turn OFF items you don’t sell. Plus, you get a QR code and link to share anywhere.
Do customers order with me directly or with chotu?
Orders come straight to your WhatsApp. chotu does not know what is ordered or who your customer is.
Do customers need to download chotu?
No. They can order by:
  • Scanning your QR code


  • Clicking your shop link

(If they install chotu, it only makes reordering easier.)

So, there are two apps?
Yes, the red chotu app is for buyers, golden chotu Owner app is for you, the shopkeeper. You can install both if you want.

How will my shop look?
Like any online store (Amazon/Flipkart). Buyers can browse, search, and add to cart. Click on LIVE DEMO to see how your shop will look.
Do I need a laptop, Excel, or English?
No. Only a WhatsApp number is enough. Works in all Indian languages. chotu runs only on mobile.
How much does chotu cost?
Starts ₹999, one-time payment. No rent. No subscription. No commission. It’s your shop forever.
How do I get paid?
Customers pay you directly, not through chotu. They can give cash in hand or through UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, etc.). No change in payments at all.


Will chotu deliver orders?
No. Delivery is your choice.
  • Ask customer to pick up


  • Send through your boy/helper
  • Use Rapido, Dunzo, etc.


Can customers pay cash?
Yes. As always.
How will I know if I got an order?
You’ll hear a “ka-ching” on the chotu Owner app and get the order on WhatsApp.
Can customers order at night?
Yes. 24×7. You can deliver when you are open.
My customers have cousins in the USA, can they also order?
Yes. Your shop is now open to the whole world, 24X7.
How do I promote my shop?
When you buy a shop, you get a shop link and a QR.
  • Share shop link on WhatsApp Status, Groups, Instagram, YouTube, etc.


  • Print QR on your shopboard, visiting cards, no-parking boards.


Will I get new customers?
Yes, through your link/QR and local promotion. With VIP Pass, your shop ranks higher on chotu search.
What is VIP Pass?
VIP Pass is a value added service with extra benefits:
  • Higher ranking in customer searches
  • Ability to edit your shop details
  • Priority customer support
How do I buy the VIP Pass?
All shops come with a built-in FREE VIP Pass. You do not need to purchase it right now. You can login to the chotu Owner app to buy the VIP Pass later.
Do I need GST or a physical shop?
No. Just a WhatsApp number is enough. Physical shop is optional.
What does owning a shop mean on chotu?
Like you buy a shop in the real world, you are buying a space in the digital world, which is yours forever.
What if I don’t get orders at first?
Share your shop link with existing customers. Once they try it, they will reorder and refer new buyers. If you have a Google My Business profile, you should update your shop link there too to get more orders.
Who is behind chotu? Can I trust it?
The team has decades of experience at Microsoft, Oracle, airtel and studied at IIT & IIM. They are building chotu with only one purpose: make ordering with local shops as easy as UPI made payments.
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