Imagine two restaurants. The same food, the same price point, the same service. In one, a radio channel plays – commercials, random tracks and news on the hour. In the other, the music is curated: the tempo supports dining, the atmosphere is cohesive and the soundscape reinforces the feel of the space. The customer may not be able to name the difference. But they feel it. And in the second restaurant they linger longer, perhaps order dessert, and are more likely to return. The difference comes from the right background music service – and from how it has been chosen.
Background music affects you more than you think
Background music is often perceived as mere “background noise” that simply fills the silence. In reality, it has a far greater impact. According to a study conducted by Teosto in 2025, 74% of businesses using background music consider music an important part of the customer experience. More than half of businesses consciously choose music based on the preferences of their own customer base.
A well-designed background music service has a direct impact on three things that are critical to business:
It extends dwell time. Customers spend more time in a space when the environment feels welcoming. It supports atmosphere. Music reinforces the impression you want to leave with customers. It influences purchasing decisions. The right tempo and vibe can guide behaviour in surprisingly powerful ways.
When music is aligned with the brand, everything comes together. When music is at odds with the company image, it is directly reflected in the customer experience. The same solution does not work for everyone, which is why we have built three different packages for different needs: Solo, Plus and Branded.
Read also: what is the difference between background music, soundscaping and Privacy Audio »
Solo: when you want to manage things yourself
Solo is a cost-effective self-service solution for businesses that want to build and manage their own background music.
You get access to an extensive royalty-free music library from which you can create your own playlists and schedule them for different situations. For example, a more relaxed atmosphere in the morning and a more energetic rhythm in the afternoon can be set up with just a few clicks. The music library content is also continuously updated, so the selection never becomes outdated.
All music is royalty-free, so there is no need for separate Teosto or Gramex payments. You can also manage all content on a single platform: music, announcements, audio advertisements and digital signage content.
Solo is particularly suited to smaller shops, cafés, restaurants and service spaces. In practice, to any business where a single, unified soundscape is sufficient for the entire space.
Solo is best suited to situations where you want to keep control in your own hands and do things yourself. If you would rather free up your time, or if music is such a big part of your brand that DIY building is not enough, it is worth looking at the Plus package.
Plus: when music is part of the customer experience
In the Plus package, background music is designed together with an expert. Rather than building playlists on a whim, the music is designed to support your business brand, target audience and the purpose of the space. The solution is particularly suited to larger premises and chains where different music is needed for different areas.
For example, at Season Golf the music supports the atmosphere of a relaxed yet high-quality recreational setting, and at the Etelä-Esplanadi 2 office space the playlist structure is scheduled according to the time of day. The service is therefore best suited to businesses that want curated background music on a turnkey basis, and where music is intended to have a clear impact in their spaces.
Plus includes the necessary equipment, music design and ongoing maintenance. A music expert creates and updates the music content, advertisements and announcements on your behalf. All music in the Plus package is also Teosto-free.
See a real-world example from Season Golf »
Branded: when you are building a sound brand
Branded is a comprehensive sonic branding service. Sonic branding means building a recognisable and consistent sonic identity for a business, just like visual branding – but through sound. The service can include soundscapes designed for different spaces and times of day, as well as a holistic concept based on the brand’s values. A well-executed sonic brand works so that customers recognise the atmosphere without seeing the logo.
We created this kind of comprehensive concept for Ikaalinen Spa Resort’s new Sauna World, where sound is part of the experiential quality. The soundscapes were designed to support the very experience the customer is meant to have: relaxation, escape from everyday life and a sense of quality.
This comprehensive concept includes ongoing support, which means we are involved in updating and developing the soundscape over time. As the brand evolves, the sound needs to keep pace.
Read how the soundscaping for Ikaalinen Spa & Resort’s Sauna World was carried out »
Comparison: which background music solution is right for you?
| Package | For whom? | Content | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLO | Small spaces | Self-managed | Basic |
| PLUS | Chains/larger spaces | Turnkey | Advanced |
| BRANDED | Brand-driven businesses | Sonic branding | Premium |
How do I choose the right package?
Choosing the right background music service package depends above all on what you want to achieve:
If you want to do things yourself and keep costs down, Solo works well. In this case, you build, schedule and manage music and other audio content yourself. Solo works well in smaller spaces where the same music plays throughout.
If you want to ensure that music supports the customer experience without adding to your own workload, Plus is the most sensible choice. It brings in a professional to select, design and update the music. It is also designed for larger shops and chains where different music is needed for different spaces.
If, on the other hand, the goal is to build a strong and recognisable brand through sound as well, Branded is the right solution. In that case, the entire sonic identity is built from the ground up.
Want to find out which background music service is right for you? Book a free 15-minute assessment and we will look together at how to make your space sound better.
