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?
What does chotu do?
Is chotu like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto or Blinkit?
Is chotu same as WhatsApp Business Catalog?
Do customers order with me directly or with chotu?
Do customers need to download chotu?
- Scanning your QR code
- Clicking your shop link
So, there are two apps?
How will my shop look?
Do I need a laptop, Excel, or English?
How much does chotu cost?
How do I get paid?
Will chotu deliver orders?
- Ask customer to pick up
- Send through your boy/helper
- Use Rapido, Dunzo, etc.
Can customers pay cash?
How will I know if I got an order?
Can customers order at night?
My customers have cousins in the USA, can they also order?
How do I promote my shop?
- 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?
What is VIP Pass?
- Higher ranking in customer searches
- Ability to edit your shop details
- Priority customer support
