How to Sell Online: A Simple Guide for Local Shop Owners in India

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Today, customers are no longer waiting to visit a shop physically. From groceries to medicines, bakery items to fresh vegetables, everything is just a click away. If you are a local shop owner — whether you run a kirana, meat shop, bakery, or fruit & vegetable stall — selling online is no longer optional. It’s a necessity.

The good news? You don’t need lakhs of rupees or a complex app. With owner.chotu.com, you can start your online shop in just a few minutes and begin accepting orders directly on WhatsApp.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to selling online successfully.

Step 1: Decide What to Sell Online

Think about what products make sense for your online shop. Common categories include:

  • Groceries & Kirana Items – Rice, dal, atta, oils, spices.
  • Fruits & Vegetables – Daily fresh produce, seasonal fruits, vegetable baskets.
  • Meat & Fish – Fresh chicken, mutton, seafood.
  • Bakery & Sweets – Cakes, bread, biscuits, traditional sweets.
  • Fast Food & Curry Points – Tiffins, biryanis, curries, snacks.

Start small with your best-selling products and expand as orders grow.

Step 2: Create Your Online Shop on owner.chotu.com

Traditional apps take weeks to set up and charge high commissions. With owner.chotu.com, you can:

  • Create your own branded online store.
  • Add unlimited products with photos and prices.
  • Share your shop link instantly on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Google.
  • Get started with a lifetime plan at just ₹999.

No coding, no middlemen — just your shop, your customers, your profits.

Step 3: Make Ordering Easy Through WhatsApp

In India, WhatsApp is the biggest shopping tool. People already message you daily to ask prices or place small orders. With your chotu shop, customers can browse products and order online through WhatsApp with a single click.

This means:

  • You don’t lose sales to Zomato, Swiggy, or grocery apps.
  • No commissions are deducted.
  • You build a direct relationship with your customers.

Step 4: Set Up Local Delivery

You don’t need to promise 10-minute delivery like big apps. Instead:

  • Deliver within your local area (2–5 km).
  • Offer same-day delivery for fresh produce.
  • Give free delivery for bigger orders or subscriptions.

Many shopkeepers also create weekly or monthly packages (vegetable basket, milk + bread combo, etc.) to secure repeat orders.

Step 5: Promote Your Online Shop

Once your shop is live, let customers know:

  • Share your link in apartment WhatsApp groups.
  • Print QR codes and paste them outside your shop.
  • Run small ads on Google or Facebook with keywords like “grocery shop near me” or “order chicken online”.
  • Post daily stock updates and prices as WhatsApp statuses.

Even 5–10 repeat online customers per day can double your income without extra costs.

Why Choose owner.chotu.com to Sell Online?

✅ Built for Indian local shops — groceries, meat, bakery, sweets, tiffins, liquor, and more.

✅ Accept orders directly on WhatsApp.

✅ Zero commission — keep 100% of your earnings.

✅ Affordable — just ₹999 lifetime.

✅ Simple setup — no technical skills needed.

Final Thoughts

Selling online may look complicated, but with owner.chotu.com, it’s as simple as running your physical shop. Customers are already searching for “fruit shop near me”, “bakery online”, or “chicken delivery nearby” — why let big apps take them away?

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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