The music you play at your venue is far more than just background noise. It’s one of the most powerful tools for influencing customer mood, dwell time, and even average spend.
But here’s the catch: using popular music in a commercial setting almost always involves additional costs. We’re talking about royalties – the licensing fees collected by performance rights organizations (PROs). Increasingly, however, businesses are turning to high-quality royalty-free music to cut expenses without sacrificing atmosphere.
Why music is more than just “ambience”
Countless studies show that music directly influences customer behavior. For example:
- In restaurants with soft, relaxing music, guests spend up to 20% more time.
- In coffee shops with upbeat morning playlists, takeaway orders increase.
- In retail boutiques, curated soundtracks can elevate brand perception and create a more premium experience.
Music impacts how people feel in your space, how long they stay, and how likely they are to return. But if you’re playing well-known commercial tracks — even through Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music — chances are you’ll need to pay licensing fees every month, even for just a few speakers in a small café.
What does “royalty-free” really mean?
“Royalty-free” doesn’t mean “free music.” It means that after a one-time payment or subscription, you can legally use the music without ongoing fees to local PROs like PRS (UK), APRA (Australia), ZAiKS (Poland), and others.
Unlike platforms such as Spotify or YouTube, which are intended for personal use only and not licensed for public performance, royalty-free music platforms are built for business — cafés, restaurants, salons, hotels, retail shops, offices, and any other commercial environment.
Save money without sacrificing quality
Many business owners worry that “royalty-free” means poor quality — bland elevator music or cheap-sounding loops. And to be fair, that used to be true. But the game has changed.
For example, Moodby.com offers expertly curated royalty-free music that rivals Spotify or even Starbucks Radio — but without the licensing headaches. You get access to playlists designed by professional music curators and sound designers, built specifically for your type of business and customer mood.
The platform runs on a subscription model and provides full commercial-use licenses that you can present during an inspection if necessary. All tracks are vetted to ensure legal compliance.
5 reasons to switch to royalty-free music for your venue
- No more PRS, APRA, ZAiKS fees
Say goodbye to monthly or annual payments to national rights organizations, which can easily run into hundreds of pounds per year. - Legal protection and peace of mind
With royalty-free music, you’re fully covered and compliant — no copyright infringement risks. - Professional-quality sound and playlists
Music is selected based on your business type, time of day, and desired atmosphere. For cafés — cozy indie and mellow jazz. For salons — chillout lounge. For bars — evening soul and deep house. - Flexible playback and easy control
Playlists can be streamed via web app, mobile, or even integrated into your venue’s smart system. - Stronger customer loyalty
Guests return to places where they feel good. Music plays a key role in creating a brand identity and emotional connection.
Is it time to switch?
If you own a business where first impressions and atmosphere matter, the answer is a clear yes. Royalty-free music offers a legal, affordable, and flexible way to enhance the customer experience while reducing operational costs.
It’s not about cutting corners — it’s about being smart. In a time when every business is carefully watching its budget, royalty-free music is a practical alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality.
