#how-it-works .how-bg {
  background: var(--highlight);
  width: 100vw;
  margin-left: calc(-50vw + 50%);
  padding: 2.5rem 0;          /* reduced vertical padding */
}

#how-it-works .container {
  max-width: 1000px;         /* slightly narrower for focus */
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 1rem;
  text-align: center;
}

#how-it-works h2 {
  font-size: 2rem;           /* slightly smaller */
  margin-bottom: .25rem;
  color: var(--dark);
}

#how-it-works .subtitle {
  color: #444;               /* darker for legibility */
  font-size: 1rem;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;     /* less gap to steps */
}

/* Steps flex container */
.how-it-works {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;  /* spread evenly */
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 1.5rem;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

/* Step card */
.step-card {
  flex: 1;
  min-width: 180px;
  max-width: 240px;
  text-align: center;
  padding: 0;
}

/* Number circle */
.step-card .step-num {
  width: 50px; height: 50px;        /* smaller */
  line-height: 50px;
  margin: 0 auto .75rem;
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 50%;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--dark);
}

/* Step title */
.step-card h3 {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: var(--primary);
  margin-bottom: .5rem;
  font-weight: 600;
}

/* Step description */
.step-card p {
  font-size: .95rem;
  color: #555;
  line-height: 1.4;
  margin: 0 auto;                  /* center multi-line */
  max-width: 200px;
}

/* Arrow between steps */
.arrow {
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  color: var(--accent);
  margin: .5rem 0;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .how-it-works {
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 2rem;
  }
  .arrow { display: none; }
}

/* Compact CTA */
.cta-wrap {
  margin-top: 1.5rem;               /* less space above button */
}
.cta-btn {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #fff;
  padding: .6rem 1.8rem;            /* slightly smaller */
  border-radius: 4px;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-size: .95rem;
  transition: background .3s;
}
.cta-btn:hover {
  background: var(--hover);
}

/* Responsive: stack vertically */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .how-it-works {
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 3rem;
  }
  .step-card:not(:last-child)::after {
    content: '';
  }
}

@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .how-it-works {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 2rem;
  }
  .step-card {
    max-width: 100%;
  }
}

@media only screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 1024px) {

  /* 1) Center the “Still Unsure? Contact Us” CTA under How-It-Works */
  #how-it-works .container {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
  }
  .cta-wrap {
    margin-top: 2rem;           /* enough breathing room */
    text-align: center;
    width: 100%;
  }
  .cta-btn {
    min-width: 240px;           /* a comfortable tap target */
    width: auto;
  } 
}