Congratulations! You’ve navigated the paperwork, chosen a name, and your official CAC certificate is finally in your hands. You are officially a Nigerian business owner.
The question every new founder asks is, “after CAC registration what next?” The post-registration phase can be just as confusing as the process itself. It’s a whirlwind of decisions that will set the foundation for your future success. This is your official launch roadmap. We’ll outline the seven critical steps to take to turn your newly registered business into a market-ready brand.
What to Do After CAC Registration: Your 7-Step Launch Roadmap
If you’re wondering what to do after CAC registration, follow these steps to build a strong foundation for your new venture. Getting these right from the start will save you countless headaches and put you on the path to profitability.
Step 1: Get Your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
This is your immediate next legal step after your CAC registration. A TIN is a unique number issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that is required for all tax-related matters.
For Limited Liability Companies, a TIN is often automatically generated upon incorporation. For Business Names, you may need to apply for them directly. You absolutely cannot skip this step, as it is a mandatory requirement for opening your corporate bank account.
Step 2: Open a Corporate Bank Account
Using your personal bank account for business transactions is a common mistake that creates accounting nightmares and looks unprofessional. A dedicated corporate bank account is essential for credibility and financial clarity.
Sending an invoice to a client with your personal name on it erodes trust. A corporate account signals that you are a serious, legitimate business. To open one, you will typically need your CAC certificate, TIN, a valid ID, and other bank-specific forms.
Step 3: Solidify Your Brand Identity
Your business name is just a starting point. Now you need a comprehensive visual identity, the professional look and feel of your company. Before announcing your launch to the world, you need the core assets that will represent your brand.
This includes a professional logo, a defined colour palette that reflects your brand’s personality, and consistent typography (fonts). These elements, documented in a simple brand guide, are the face of your company and will be used on everything from your website to your social media posts.
Related: 5 Common Branding Mistakes Every Business Should Avoid
Step 4: Secure Your Digital Touchpoints
This step is urgent and should be done the same day you get your certificate. In the digital space, your name is your territory, and you need to claim it before someone else does.
First, immediately purchase the website domain name (ideally the .com or .com.ng that matches your registered business name. At the same time, claim the social media handles on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn. Even if you don’t plan to use a platform right away, secure the handle to prevent squatters and ensure brand consistency in the future.
Step 5: Build Your “Minimum Viable Website”
You don’t need a 50-page brochure website to launch, but in 2025, you absolutely need a professional “digital storefront.” This is often the first interaction a high-value client or customer will have with your brand.
A minimum viable website should, at the very least, have four key pages:
- Homepage: A clear introduction to your business.
- About Us: The story behind your brand and why customers should trust you.
- Services/Products: A clear breakdown of what you offer.
- Contact Us: An easy way for people to get in touch.
This starter website’s primary job is to establish credibility and convert initial interest into inquiries.
Step 6: Set Up Professional Communication Channels
How you communicate signals how professional you are. Once you’re CAC registration is done, it’s time to stop using your personal accounts for business.
Set up a professional email address linked to your new domain (e.g., info@yourbusiness.com.ng instead of yourbusiness@gmail.com. Professional emails are more trustworthy and less likely to end up in spam folders. Also, set up a dedicated WhatsApp for Business account to manage customer inquiries professionally with features like catalogues, quick replies, and business hours.
Step 7: Plan and Announce Your Launch
Finally, it’s time to tell the world you’re open for business. A successful launch doesn’t have to be a massive, expensive event. It just needs to be planned.
A simple digital launch plan includes:
- Finalizing your starter website.
- Creating your first 3-5 social media posts that introduce your brand and what you do.
- Drafting an announcement email or WhatsApp broadcast for your personal and professional network.
- Choosing a launch day and posting your announcement consistently across all your new channels.
Don’t Just Launch, Launch with Momentum
Knowing what to do after CAC registration is the difference between a slow start and a powerful launch. For a founder who is also trying to perfect their product or service, this checklist can feel like a lot to handle.
This is where a growth partner comes in. Our all-in-one launch packages are designed to handle these critical post-registration steps for you—from building your brand and website to planning your launch marketing.
We turn a long checklist into a single, seamless process. This ensures you start your business with a powerful competitive advantage and a professional foundation built for growth.
Let’s build your launch plan together. See our Business Launch Packages.
