I'm married to a sub I met via the internet. We've been together for over 10 years, so its worked for us.

Others have an online relationship that is an end unto itself. Personally I've always felt that on line was the preamble to a R/T relationship. That's what has worked for me. So keeping that in mind, my goals on an on-line relationship has been to learn about the sub, be sure its not some crazy chick, kind of vet the person I'm talking to. I'm skeptical about people until they earn trust. Then I proceed with some activities, rules, behavior modifiers, etc. All with the idea of eventually meeting and doing those things we've been discussing.

I'm sure there are others that for one reason or another have strictly on-line relationships that can cast a better light on the goals involved in that aspect.

Good luck, go slowly, get multiple points of view, trust your instincts.