Question 1

Who is chotu?

Accepted Answer

Namaste. I am chotu, your friendly shopboy. I make ordering from your shop simple on WhatsApp.

Question 2

What does chotu do?

Accepted Answer

Customers can see your full product list online (like Zepto/Blinkit). They add to cart and order directly on WhatsApp.

Question 3

Is chotu like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto or Blinkit?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Is chotu same as WhatsApp Business Catalog?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Do customers order with me directly or with chotu?

Accepted Answer

Orders come straight to your WhatsApp. chotu does not know what is ordered or who your customer is.

Question 6

Do customers need to download chotu?

Accepted Answer

No. They can order by:

Scanning your QR code  
Clicking your shop link 

(If they install chotu, it only makes reordering easier.)

Question 7

So, there are two apps?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the red chotu app is for buyers, golden chotu Owner app is for you, the shopkeeper. You can install both if you want.

Question 8

How will my shop look?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Do I need a laptop, Excel, or English?

Accepted Answer

No. Only a WhatsApp number is enough. Works in all Indian languages. chotu runs only on mobile.

Question 10

How much does chotu cost?

Accepted Answer

Starts ₹999, one-time payment. No rent. No subscription. No commission. It’s your shop forever.

Question 11

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Will chotu deliver orders?

Accepted Answer

No. Delivery is your choice.

Ask customer to pick up  
Send through your boy/helper 
Use Rapido, Dunzo, etc.

Question 13

Can customers pay cash?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As always.

Question 14

How will I know if I got an order?

Accepted Answer

You’ll hear a “ka-ching” on the chotu Owner app and get the order on WhatsApp.

Question 15

Can customers order at night?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 24×7. You can deliver when you are open.

Question 16

My customers have cousins in the USA, can they also order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your shop is now open to the whole world, 24X7.

Question 17

How do I promote my shop?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Will I get new customers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through your link/QR and local promotion. With VIP Pass, your shop ranks higher on chotu search.

Question 19

What is VIP Pass?

Accepted Answer

VIP Pass is a value added service with extra benefits:

Higher ranking in customer searches
Ability to edit your shop details
Priority customer support

Question 20

How do I buy the VIP Pass?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

Do I need GST or a physical shop?

Accepted Answer

No. Just a WhatsApp number is enough. Physical shop is optional.

Question 22

What does owning a shop mean on chotu?

Accepted Answer

Like you buy a shop in the real world, you are buying a space in the digital world, which is yours forever.

Question 23

What if I don’t get orders at first?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 24

Who is behind chotu? Can I trust it?

Accepted Answer

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.

Kirana Shop – Telugu (EN)

Frequently Asked Questions