# chotu


> chotu is a local commerce platform for India. Discover nearby shops — kirana, bakery, salons, restaurants, and more — and order directly via WhatsApp. No app download, no middleman, no platform fees.


## General


- [Homepage](https://chotu.com)
- [Blog](https://chotu.com/local/blog)
- [Sitemap](https://chotu.com/sitemap-main.xml)
- [List your shop — Owner Portal](https://owner.chotu.com)
- Contact: oye@chotu.com
- Language: en | Locale: en-IN
- Business model: chotu charges a nominal recharge from VIP shopkeepers. Customers and transactions are never touched — chotu earns from VIP shopkeepers, not buyers.


## Key Pages


- [Homepage](https://chotu.com)
- [Shop-keeper Portal — List Your Shop](https://owner.chotu.com)
- [Blog — Local Shopping Guides](https://chotu.com/local/blog)
- [Sitemap](https://chotu.com/sitemap-main.xml)


## Ordering Flow


- User may come form google search with near me phrase, like example “kirana near me” or directly can select category on chotu.com and enable location access
- then list of shops will be visible which are near to him
- then he select the shops he like to place order
- then catalog opens, he selects the products he would like to order and clicks place “Order on WhatsApp” button


## Categories


- Cafe, Bakery, Biryani Center, Breakfast, Chicken Center, Restaurant, Curry Point, Chat Bhandar, Fast Food, Home Foods, Hot Chips
- Kirana / Grocery Store, Dry Fruits Shop, Flour Mill, Fruits & Vegetables, Organic Shop, Pickles Shop, Rice Traders
- Salons, Dry Cleaning, Tailors, Florist, Gift Shop, Sweet Shop, Stationery, Sports, Pan Shop
- Mutton Shop, Fish Shop, Dairy Parlour
- Medical Shop, Dental Clinics, Nutritionists, Ayurvedic Shops
- Catering Services, Pet Shop, Pest Control Services, Loan Services, Carpenters


## FAQs


- Q: What is chotu?
  A: In Hindi, chotu means "small", but this chotu helps local shops go digital in a big way — gives them visual catalogs, and lets customers order through WhatsApp.


- Q: Is chotu a delivery app like Blinkit or Zepto?
  A: No. chotu is an ordering app, not a delivery company or warehouse. It helps you order directly from your trusted local shops — the same kirana, bakery, or vegetable seller you already buy from.


- Q: Where does the order land when I place an order on chotu?
  A: Unlike other apps, your order lands directly on the shopkeeper's WhatsApp. chotu does not get to know about your order at all.


- Q: Should I pay to chotu?
  A: No. You order directly with the shopkeeper, so you pay them directly. chotu is not involved in the order or the transaction at all.


- Q: Who delivers the product when I order?
  A: Your local shop handles the delivery — just like they normally do when you call or send a WhatsApp message. Or you can pick it up. This is based on your convenience.


- Q: How is this different from just sending a WhatsApp message to the shop?
  A: With chotu, you don't need to type long lists or explain everything. Browse the visual catalog, tap to add items, and place the order directly through WhatsApp — faster, easier, and error-free.


- Q: Is it free to use for customers?
  A: Yes, 100% free. There's no extra charge. You pay the shop directly — just like you already do.


- Q: How does chotu make money?
  A: chotu charges a nominal rent from VIP shopkeepers. Since customers chat and pay shopkeepers directly, chotu does not and cannot charge any transaction fees.


- Q: Can I still chat with the shop after placing the order?
  A: Absolutely. After placing the order, you can chat with the shop on WhatsApp to make changes, ask questions, or confirm delivery time. Or simply call the shopkeeper.


- Q: What kind of shops are available on chotu?
  A: All types of local shops — kirana & general stores, curry points & tiffin services, fruits & vegetables, bakery, dairy & eggs, plumber, carpenter, home repair services, and many more.


- Q: Is chotu available in my area?
  A: chotu has over 21 Lakh shops listed, growing by thousands every day. Unless you are in a very remote area, you should find hundreds of shops near you.


- Q: Can I pay the shopkeeper in cash?
  A: Yes. You deal directly with the shop, so payment works just like it always has — cash, UPI, or whatever the shop accepts.


- Q: Is my information safe with chotu?
  A: Your info is never with chotu. There is no phone number verification — chotu does not know your number and will never ask for it. You're ordering directly with the shop via WhatsApp, just more conveniently.


- Q: I'm used to calling my shop. Why should I switch to chotu?
  A: Calling isn't always possible, and building a long shopping list can be a hassle. With chotu, you tap to order from a pre-listed catalog — faster, error-free, and still supports your local shop.


- Q: I use Blinkit / Zepto / BigBasket. Why should I order from local shops?
  A: Many essentials are better priced and higher quality at local shops, without the delivery fee, platform fee, rain fee, and all the rest. Give local shops a chance.


- Q: Will my shop know it's me when I order through chotu?
  A: Yes. Since you place the order through WhatsApp, the shop sees your name and number — just like a regular message.


- Q: I already have my shop's WhatsApp. Why should I use chotu?
  A: With chotu, you don't need to type or explain anything. Just tap from a catalog and send your order instantly — saving time and avoiding errors.


- Q: What if the shop doesn't respond on WhatsApp?
  A: chotu connects you to the shop directly. If they normally reply to WhatsApp or calls, they will respond the same way. You can also follow up in the chat or simply call them.


- Q: What if I want something that's not in the catalog?
  A: No problem. After placing the order, you can still chat with the shop on WhatsApp to request custom items, replacements, or modifications.


- Q: Is chotu available in my language?
  A: All shop catalogs are available in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia, Assamese, and English.


- Q: I'm a shopkeeper — can I list my shop on chotu?
  A: Absolutely! Visit owner.chotu.com or install the chotu Owner app from the Play Store or App Store.


- Q: What is a VIP shop on chotu?
  A: A VIP shop is a trusted and verified shop that chotu has personally checked. These shops are reliable, responsive, and consistent in their service. Look for the crown icon next to their name.


- Q: How do I know which shops are VIP or verified?
  A: Verified shops are marked with a crown symbol in the shop list. This means chotu has personally reviewed them and they have a strong record of great service.


- Q: Are VIP shops safer or better than other shops?
  A: All shops on chotu are real and local, but VIP shops have earned an extra layer of trust — verified for reliability, fast response, and quality.


- Q: Do VIP shops charge extra?
  A: No. VIP shops don't charge anything extra. Pricing is set by the shop, and it's usually the same as what you'd pay in person.


- Q: Can I filter or sort by VIP shops only?
  A: This feature is coming soon. For now, look for the crown icon to quickly identify trusted shops in the list.


- Q: Can my favourite shop become a VIP shop?
  A: Yes! If your local shop uses chotu actively and provides great service, they can apply or be nominated for VIP status. Evaluation is based on responsiveness, product listing, and customer experience.


## Content Discovery


- Discover URLs from sitemap: https://chotu.com/sitemap-main.xml
- Follow canonical URLs only; do not construct URLs manually
- Use category pages for transactional intent (finding and ordering from nearby shops)
- Use blog pages for informational intent (guides, comparisons, local shopping trends)
- Use FAQ entries above for general platform questions


## Crawl Priority


1. Homepage: https://chotu.com
2. Sitemap: https://chotu.com/sitemap-main.xml
3. Category pages
4. Location pages
5. FAQ (see above)
6. Blog: https://chotu.com/local/blog