Is chotu an Online App or a Growth Platform for Local Businesses?

Many local shop owners ask the same question when they first hear about chotu. Is it just another online app? Or is it something bigger?

The truth is simple.

chotu is not just an app. It is a complete growth platform designed for India’s local businesses.

In 2026, customers want both convenience and trust. They want nearby shops that understand their needs and offer quick digital ordering. chotu was built for exactly this. It transforms small shops into modern online brands without any technical complexity, commissions, or expensive tools.

In this guide, you will learn what makes chotu different from typical apps, how it fuels business growth, and why thousands of neighbourhood stores rely on it every day.

Why chotu Is More Than an App

Apps usually offer a single function.

A growth platform does much more.

chotu gives local businesses:

  • A digital store
  • A shareable WhatsApp ordering link
  • A strong online presence
  • Repeat customer flow
  • Communication tools
  • Zero commission model
  • Local discovery advantages
  • Professional identity
  • Scalable long term growth

This makes chotu a complete digital foundation for neighbourhood shops across India.

Why Local Businesses Need a Growth Platform in 2026

Consumer behaviour has fully changed:

  • People search online before buying
  • They prefer WhatsApp ordering
  • They want to browse products first
  • They expect quick responses
  • They trust nearby shops more than big brands

Without a digital presence, local shops risk losing customers to competitors who are easy to find online.

chotu solves this by giving every shop an instant online presence that feels modern, trustworthy, and easy to use.

How chotu Helps Local Shops Grow Faster

Below are the core growth benefits that make chotu a platform, not just an app.

1. You Get Your Own Online Store for FREE in Seconds

You do not list under someone else’s brand.

You get your own store link, your own catalog, and your own online identity.

This helps customers trust you more and keeps all earnings in your hands.

2. WhatsApp Becomes Your Ordering Engine

Customers can:

  • Browse your items
  • Tap to order
  • Message instantly
  • Reorder effortlessly

This improves order volume because WhatsApp is already India’s most popular communication channel.

3. You Keep 100 Percent of Your Earnings

Apps and aggregators take commissions, but chotu charges nothing.

This allows local shops to grow sustainably without losing margins.

4. You Build Repeat Customers Automatically

Once a customer opens your chotu link, they save it for future orders.

This increases loyalty and daily order flow.

5. You Get Trust Through a Professional Digital Presence

Your catalog looks clean, organised, and reliable.

This makes small shops look like modern brands without spending money.

6. You Beat Marketplace Competition

You are not compared side by side with five similar stores.

Your store stands alone, giving you a powerful advantage.

Not an Aggregator. Not a Delivery App. A Growth Platform.

Marketplaces own the customer.

Aggregators take commissions.

Big apps show competitors first.

chotu gives control back to local shops by:

  • Helping them own their customer relationships
  • Providing direct communication
  • Supporting hyperlocal delivery
  • Strengthening neighbourhood loyalty
  • Giving them technology without cost

This is why thousands of kirana stores, chicken and meat shops, tiffin centers, astrologers, dairy parlours, fruit shops, pharmacies, salons and more use chotu to grow.

How to Use chotu to Start Growing Today

The onboarding is intentionally simple so even non technical businesses can start instantly.

Step 1: Create Your Local Shop’s Online Store on chotu for FREE

Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online

In a few simple steps, you will have your digital profile ready:

  • Add your store name and mobile number
  • Use pre-built menu or add your products or services with short descriptions

Your online store becomes active immediately.

Step 2: Share Your Store Link Everywhere

Share on:

  • WhatsApp status
  • Personal chats
  • Apartment groups
  • Office communities
  • RWA groups
  • Local networks

Every share increases your visibility and orders.

Step 3: Manage Orders and Build Customer Relationships

You can:

  • Track every order
  • Update your catalog anytime
  • Respond directly
  • Build strong loyalty
  • Encourage repeat buying

chotu becomes your daily business assistant.

What Makes chotu Different from Online Apps

1. No commission

Your profit is 100 percent yours.

2. No competition inside the app

Customers see only your store.

3. No complicated setup

Anyone can go online in seconds.

4. No loss of identity

Your shop gets its own brand presence.

5. No dependence on marketplace rules

You control your business fully.

chotu positions your shop for long term digital success.

The Future of Local Commerce Belongs to Shops with Their Own Digital Stores

In 2026 and beyond, customers will buy from local shops that are:

  • Easy to find
  • Easy to order from
  • Easy to communicate with

chotu helps you become exactly that.

It is not simply an online app.

It is a growth platform for India’s neighbourhood businesses.

Final Word

If you want more customers, more loyalty, and more digital presence without commissions or complications, chotu is the simplest way to get started.

Your shop deserves to grow online.

Your customers want convenience.

Your business deserves full control.

Start today with your own online store on chotu.

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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