India’s love for sweets is timeless — from laddus and jalebis in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh to Bengali rasgullas and north Indian barfis. But today’s customers are increasingly searching online for “sweet shop near me” or ordering mithai through apps. If you own a sweet shop or candy shop, going digital is no longer optional — it’s essential.
The good news? Starting an online sweet shop is easier and more affordable than you think. With platforms like chotu (owner.chotu.com), even traditional shops can build a lifetime online presence at minimal cost.
Step 1: Decide Your Business Model
- Pure Online Candy Shop (Cloud Kitchen Style): Operate only through online orders, no physical storefront.
- Hybrid Model (Offline + Online): Extend your existing sweet shop to online customers.
- Specialized Sweets & Hampers: Focus on gift boxes, festival packs, or premium handmade candies.
Step 2: Get Licenses and Essentials
- FSSAI license (mandatory for all food businesses)
- GST registration (if turnover crosses threshold)
- Hygienic packaging with branding for delivery
- Good product photos for online listings
Step 3: Select Your Online Sales Channel
You have three main routes:
- Own Website – Costly to build and maintain (₹20,000–₹50,000)
- Aggregator Apps (Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit) – Quick reach but charge 30–35% commission
- chotu (owner.chotu.com) – One-time ₹2000 lifetime shop, zero commission, direct WhatsApp orders
👉 Example: A Hyderabad sweet shop can list laddus, kaju barfi, and jalebi on chotu. Customers browse the shop link and place orders directly via WhatsApp.
Step 4: Set Up Your Digital Sweet Shop with chotu
- Visit owner.chotu.com
- Register your shop details (name, address, products)
- Upload product photos (laddus, gulab jamun, kaju katli, etc.)
- Share your shop link with customers on WhatsApp & social media
- Start receiving direct WhatsApp orders — no middlemen, no commission
Step 5: Promote Your Sweet Shop Online
- Google Business Profile: Appear in local “sweet shop near me” searches
- WhatsApp Marketing: Share catalog links, festival offers, and discounts
- Social Media: Showcase product photos, reels, and festive hampers
- Festivals & Events: Run promotions for Diwali, Sankranti, or weddings
Why chotu is the Best Way to Start Your Sweet Shop Online
Unlike costly websites or aggregator apps, chotu gives shopkeepers:
- 🛒 Ready-made digital shop in minutes
- 💰 ₹2000 lifetime ownership (no renewal fees)
- 📲 WhatsApp ordering system customers already use
- ❌ Zero commission — you keep 100% of sales
- 🤝 Direct customer relationship without losing data to third-party apps
With chotu, your sweet shop becomes future-ready while staying local and affordable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering how to start a sweet shop or candy shop business online, the steps are simple: set up your digital store, get licensed, package professionally, and market smartly.
For shopkeepers in India, the easiest solution is chotu at owner.chotu.com. With just a one-time fee of ₹2000, you can launch your lifetime online shop, take WhatsApp orders, and win back customers who shifted to big apps.
✨ Sweet success begins with going digital — and chotu makes it simple.
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
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.