It creates excitement on behalf of online work (8)
I believe the answer is:
foreplay
'it creates excitement' is the definition.
(foreplay might excite or stimulate people)
'on behalf of online work' is the wordplay.
'on behalf of' becomes 'for' (eg speaking on behalf of or for someone else).
'online' becomes 'e' (abbreviation for electronic, e.g. in ecommerce).
'work' becomes 'play' (dramatic work).
'for'+'e'+'play'='FOREPLAY'
(Other definitions for foreplay that I've seen before include "Precursor to main action" , "Sexual preamble" .)