Aside from the recently mentioned customer service tips, here are other ways to prevent any problem that may arise from miscommunication using online tools and other technological devices:

POOR GRAMMAR AND SPELLING CAN HINDER - Some people are especially conscious of their grammar and spelling skills and can therefore take an inordinate amount of time in wording their responses. If you are having similar trouble but unwilling to admit it to the people you're talking to, the best thing you can do is just practice daily and stick to using simple words as much as possible. If the other party takes special note of your mistakes repeatedly, he's the one exhibiting ill manners and not you.

THE USE OF SMILEYS - These and other emotion icons help greatly in explaining the emotion behind the words you type. They are not however advisable to use with business parties that you are not especially close to. You should also know if it's appropriate to use them considering the topic of discussion and when you're having it. Nonetheless, if there a huge chance for being misunderstood, a plain smiley placed at the end of the sentence is sure to clear things up instantly.

GEOGRAPHIC CONCERNS - If you are speaking with someone located in a distant area, do take note of possible time differences and where he is having the communication. A person who is forced to avail the services of a cyber café may not feel comfortable speaking of sensitive matters and be affected in other ways due to the public setting. Also, someone who has to participate in an online discussion at the middle of the night might not be in full possession of his mental faculties. It won't hurt you to be extra considerate of his situation.

ONE MESSAGE AT A TIME - For the sake of effective communication, it is best for everyone concerned, regardless of their typing speed and skills, to wait for the response of the other party before making a reply. Send one message at a time. Studies show that delayed responses cause parties to reflect more and longer on the messages, lessening the stress for those concerned, and making it easier for them to resolve issues. You can have the same results by making the delay deliberate - wait for a response before replying rather than filling up the screen with your messages.

UPDATE YOUR STATUS - Lastly, if you want people to know you're online, make sure your status properly indicates what you're doing so that no misunderstanding evolves from it. Your inability to reply may be misconstrued if you don't bother to let them know that you're BUSY or AFK (away from the keyboard).