Assuming I've had adequate e-mail and phone communication with a woman from online, I usually do the following:

1. Greet with a handshake. If we've been communicating an extended period of time, especially over the phone, I'll greet with a hug.

2. If the date doesn't go well, usually handshake at the end. If the date goes well, usually a hug. If the date goes really well and the physical chemistry is undeniable, a hug and kiss. That only happens about 10% of the time.

I believe that you want to lead off a first date making a good impression. No physical contact at all would be weird to me. And at the end of the date, you want the type of contact to say something about how you feel about any potential compatibility. These are usually the two most harrowing parts of a first date, so try to get them right!