Bottom few layers are too wide

Every print is slightly wider on the bottom 2 or 3 layers than the rest, as in the picture. I assume that this may be some type of gravitational/compression affect from being on the bottom or more likely as a result of being directly above the heated bed. Either way, I'm not sure if I should adjust my hardware or my software. Please help, and go easy on me for my first post Thanks.

It seems like your hotend might be too close to the bed for the first layer.
If you use slic3r, heat up the bed and hotend up to your printing temperature and move the endstop so the tip is *just* touching the bed.
Also make sure your bed is level or else it will lead to a world of hurt later on. You only really need to level your bed once.