How do I get my next sock to not do this with the noticeable seam???
TIA
This page has instructions for seaming both garter stitch and stockinette so that the seams don’t show. 
Did you knit your sock flat, rather than in the round?
Most socks are knit in the round on double pointed needles, 2 circular needles or the magic loop method, these methods are seamless 
I used dpn’s. 5 of them, boy that was easier than it initially looked. Thank goodness. 
I didn’t seam it though, I used dpn’s and it still turned out this way??? (It was my first sock btw.)
the seam is caused by the little tiny gap between the needles. The trick is to give the yarn a tug on the first two stitches of each needle. That tightens the gap nicely. 
Really? That is the only side that the seam is on, when I would switch from knit to purl. But if you say so then I will give that a try. Thanks.